Sutton St James to host one-man London Marathon

A South Holland runner will complete a one-man "London Marathon" in his home village, Sutton St James.

Shaun Turner (43) had tried for 10 years to gain entry to the London event and, in the year he succeeded, COVID-19 put paid to his chances of being cheered by crowds around the capital.

Undaunted, Shaun will run a marathon course - some 10.9 laps along Bells Drove, Baulkins Drove and the centre of the village - on Sunday, October 4.

Shaun says: "When I was single I couldn't get into the London Marathon. It's typical, the year I have a new baby, I get in."

He is fortunate to be the father of three healthy boys, Aronas (12), Leonidas (3) and Julius, nearly eight months old.

His thoughts are with less fortunate families so his chosen cause is Children with Cancer UK and he's set up a fundraising page in a bid to raise as much money as he can.

Shaun is disappointed about missing the London atmosphere but he's chosen to find the silver lining and carry on with the charity run.

Friends will accompany him on some of the laps and he's hoping supporters will cheer him along the way and at the finish line, Garner's garage on Chapel Gate.

Shaun, who has a partner Henrieta Rimkute, used to do cross country at school and his marathon route is one he used to run as a youngster.

He said: "October 4 was the planned date for the London Marathon and that's what I am sticking with."

Shaun's brother, Philip, had planned to do the London landmarks event but that was cancelled.

Philip has been a regular running companion for Shaun.

So far Shaun has raised £549 towards his £1,000 target.

To boost Shaun's fundraising please click this link: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ShaunTurner