Stars hit streets in marathon charity effort
LUTHER star Ruth Wilson and Doctor Who actor Christopher Eccleston are among celebrities running the London Marathon today for causes close to their hearts.
Golden Globe winner Ruth, 42, right, her three brothers and nephew Theo are raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK in honour of their recently diagnosed father Nigel.
Nigel ran the first London marathon in 1981, completing the gruelling 26.2-mile route in three hours and 15 minutes. But the family say there is “zero chance of replicating his time or getting anywhere near”.
They said: “Whether we run together or in healthy competition with each other is yet to be seen. But with every step, Dad will be in our hearts, together with the hundreds of thousands living with this awful disease and those caring for them.”
Christopher, 60, below, who has been ambassador for Big Issue since 2000, last ran the marathon at 50.
He said his plan was “to run at 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100. And then I’ll retire”.
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan, 46, is supporting suicide prevention charity Campaign Against
Living Miserably, which helped him as a teenager. Mcfly drummer and Strictly 2011 champion Harry Judd, 38, is backing the Children’s Trust and singer-songwriter Tom Grennan, 28, is running for Shelter.
“Hardest Geezer” Russ Cook, who finished running the length of Africa on April 7, will take part for The Running Charity.
Yesterday, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, 57, and daughters Anna, 11, and Eleanor, nine, joined fitness guru Joe Wicks, 38, and more than 14,000 children to complete the one-mile TCS Mini London Marathon.