Ex- comic has last laugh and runs his marathon

It was no joke for a former comedian from Troon when he was supposed to be running in this year’s London Marathon.

Due to the event’s cancellation, though, Gavin Oattes arranged his own running challenge.

He enlisted the help of his neighbours, and between them, they completed a grand total of 102 miles, just short of four marathons.

Gavin’s neighbourhood team consisted of 19 people, aged from 6 to 60s, who ran up and down the street where they live in Edinburgh, which measures 0.4km ( 0.25 miles).

Each household took their own time slot, with some families taking one hour and some half an hour. They ran continuously from 8am until 3.30pm, and they were urged on by two bagpipe- playing neighbours and lots of cheering and clapping.

Everything was undertaken within current social distance guidelines.

This was Gavin’s own 2.6 challenge, an event organised to honour the date of Sunday, April 26, which would have been the 40th London Marathon, and where people were asked to dream up their own activity.

Gavin, 40, seen above, attended Troon Primary, Marr College and previously lived in St Meddans Crescent. He said: “It was such a fab day and a wonderful way to lift spirits with all that’s going on in the world.”

With the help of friends, family and neighbours, Gavin has raised £ 2600 or Pancreatic Cancer Scotland ( PCS) and Pancreatic Cancer Action ( PCA).

Gavin is a former teacher, stand- up comedian and is currently managing director of motivational workshop and training company, Tree of Knowledge.

He’s also an author and this year he published his book, Life Will See You Now. Gavin lost his dad, Eric Oattes to pancreatic cancer in 2012. Eric was 65 years- old and had big plans for his retirement from his job as a quantity surveyor. Plans which he never got to see through.

Gavin said: “My dad was amazing, he was my hero. When he died, it put a lot of stuff into perspective for me and it made it want to enjoy things more.”