South Creake has a capital marathon idea

At the same time as 40,000 eager runners were pounding the streets in the London marathon on Sunday, enthusiasts in South Creake were sploshing and plodding their way round the village playing field in a community event with the aim of completing their own marathon whilst also helping engender a spirit of togetherness amongst residents.

It had been organised by the village’s Community Event Group, formed more than ten years ago to especially help to bring the village together and which in the past has organised events such as annual picnics on The Green, a sports day and Christmas events.

“We thought we’d celebrate because things now seem slightly better after the lockdown,” said Sara Freakley who, together with husband, Bob, Amanda Mendham, Lorna Goodall and Glyn Clack were the founding members.

“None of us want to run 26.2 miles so we are making it a cumulative event hoping that together we’ll run more than one marathon.”

The response brought out dogs, babes in arms, mums and dads, grandparents and those on mobility scooters with every lap they ran going up on a large scoreboard. The response was so good that well over two marathons were run.

On hand were refreshments; there was a raffle, a hog roast and, to sign off the day, a duck race along the River Burn. Prizes went to the first and last finishers, Archie Rice and Jackie Large

None of the runners were sponsored but the profits from the raffle, refreshments and the duck race entrants will be donated to the East Anglian Air Ambulance.