Bruce ready for marathon challenge in memory of pal Pete

» BRUCE Bynorth, 47, from Cheltenham will this weekend run, jog and walk the length of the cancelled London Marathon bearing a 20kg weight on his back.

The big hearted and broad shouldered Army Physical Trainer will be taking on the 26.2 mile challenge in the county this Sunday, October 4, – the date the once already cancelled April event was due to take place – in memory of his friend and fellow member of the Gloucestershire Regiment, Pete Milner.

Previously heading up the gymnasium and physical development for HQ ARCC at NATO HQ based at Innsworth now based at Tidworth Garrison, Bruce is no stranger to demanding physical challenges so decided to push himself further by carrying a 20kg weight around the 26.2 miles.

Bruce will eventually cover the London Marathon distance not once, but three times, after marking the original London Marathon April 2020 date by rowing 26.2 miles on his rowing machine in his garden followed by 26 reps of 26 burpees, and planning to run the London Marathon proper in October 2021 where his place has been deferred to.

Bruce said, “I got my place in the London Marathon 2020 with Sue Ryder to run in memory of a friend of mine, Pete Milner Ex Gloucestershire regiment, who passed away at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice in 2019.”

“As a tribute to Pete I’ll carry a 20kg Army backpack the whole way wearing my kit and boots.

“It’s really going to challenge me physically and I was hoping to have the London crowd behind me to help keep me going. I wanted to complete the challenge this year in memory of Pete and to raise vital funds for the hospice who are facing such a big hole in their finances due to the pandemic.”

You can donate to Bruce’s fundraising at www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/bruce-bynorth1

Out and about across the county and further afield this Sunday completing their London Marathon distances in support of Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice like Bruce are Jane Shorting, Rob Adkins, Ollie Young, Justin Hawley, Annie Weekes, Melissa Bloxham, Julia Thom and Peter Allsopp.

Elise Hoadley, Hospice Director at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice said, “We’re incredibly humbled that our Team Incredible runners have chosen to still complete the London Marathon virtually in support of our hospice this year. We are with you every step!”

“Our hospice is facing a £1.6million funding gap this financial year and I want our Team Incredible runners to know their amazing dedication and support in choosing to still run and raise funds for us this year really does mean the world to us.”

For more visit sueryder.org/leckhampton