Incident stops running couple in their tracks
Burnham: Pair pull out of marathon after attempted home break-in
A running couple from Burnham have raised more than £2,000 for charity despite having to pull out of the Brighton Marathon due to an attempted burglary at home.
Keith Greenough, president of Burnham Beeches Rotary Club, and his wife and running partner, Glynne, were staying at a Brighton hotel on Saturday, April 9 when they received the unexpected news.
“At about 11pm [the night before the marathon] our security monitoring service notified us of an attempted break-in,” said Keith.
Crestfallen at the distressing news the couple immediately drove home.
“We had to make sure the house was secure”, said Keith. “We didn’t finish off doing that and talking to the police until 4am. We were exhausted.”
Despite a rear window being smashed the intruders went away empty-handed.
The sound of the glass shattering was enough to alert the security system – and neighbours – who notified the authorities.
“Our neighbours are wonderful,” added Keith.
“This is a very observant community,”
The marathon would have been the first major event of its kind that the running duo had signed up for post lockdown.
But the stress of the situation and the timing of it all meant that the Greenoughs couldn’t get back to Brighton in time on Sunday, April 10.
Months of training had gone into preparing for the event and they raised more than double their target of £1,000.
Thoughts of the charities –
South Bucks Riding for the Disabled and the Club’s Ukraine Crisis ran through their minds.
“It was just impossible to drive back for the early race start – but we couldn’t let our supporters down,” added Keith.
So the quick-thinking Greenoughs created a local route equalling the 26.2 miles, completing their ‘Not the Brighton Marathon’ in five hours and 21 minutes.
“It was really enjoyable,” said Keith.
“We didn’t get the sights and sounds of Brighton but there was different set of perks to running it in Burnham.
“We did seven loops of six kilometres each (plus a bit), stopping at our house for drinks and energy gels. The neighbours must have thought we were completely nuts.”
The retired couple, who have lived in Burnham for 25 years, devote much of their time to the community and fundraising and won’t let this get them down.
In fact, the Greenoughs are back in training already – this time for a 70-mile triathlon.
“This is the first time a major disturbance like this has happened to our property,” Keith said.
“I suspect the perpetrators saw on social media that we were away and took their chance. Such a shame, really, to target good people who are doing good for others.
“However, it wasn’t to be because we have really good home security and fantastic neighbours.”
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: “Enquiries were carried out and following this the investigation has been filed pending further information coming to light.
“Anyone with information can contact police by calling 101 or via the website, quoting the reference number – 43220153794.”
At the time of going to press £2,019.37 had been raised.
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