A FITNESS fanatic is enjoying a well-deserved rest after taking on the London Marathon – following a 200 mile run to the starting line.
Former North Leamington School pupil Richard Smith ran from Chorley to London before completing the final leg of his challenge, running 26 miles in the London Marathon. He completed the entire run within a week.
The 31-year-old, who hails from Leamington but now lives in Bolton, even found time to make a pit-stop at Long Itchington Primary School where he ran a few laps of the playing field with pupils.
Richard ran in aid of the Royal British Legion, and managed to raise more than £5,500. The money will go towards helping elderly veterans to live independently and offering holidays to families in the armed forces.
The regional manager for British Military Fitness said: “I’ve taken part in lots of different fitness challenges over the years so when I thought about the marathon, I decided to do something a bit different to try and raise as much money as possible.
“The Royal British Legion is my chosen charity because I have friends in the military and it was my childhood dream to join the Royal Marines, which I went on to do for a while until I left and fitness became my day job as well as my hobby.
“The Royal British Legion is a charity that’s close to my heart – I know the money will go to a good cause.”
