Fundraising farmers turn out for London Marathon

Farmers and rural workers swapped boots for trainers and headed to the capital to run the London Marathon on Sunday 2 October and raise thousands for charity.

More than 40,000 people took part in the world-famous 26.2-mile event, which was once again heavily supported.

Spectators packed roadsides to cheer the runners along the route, which starts in Greenwich and snakes past some of London’s iconic landmarks to finish on The Mall.

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Bizza Walters, a rural affairs advisor and former shepherdess from Warwickshire, was among the runners raising money for Farm Africa – a charity that provides vital support to help farmers produce more and get a better price, while protecting the environment.

Ms Walters has raised more than £2,700 for the charity and finished in a time of 05:04:49.

Tough run

The NFU student and young farmer ambassador was aiming for sub-five hours and said training had gone well, but the run was “absolutely grueling”.

“I did a 20-mile run three weeks ago and really enjoyed it, but yesterday was so hard. The atmosphere was amazing and I had lots of support, but I just had one of those bad running days.”

Ms Walters, who was cheered on by her family and friends, said she was proud to have crossed the line and have raised a significant amount of cash for charity.

Fellow NFU student and young farmer ambassador Jess Langton completed a virtual marathon in the countryside, after train strikes prevented her from travelling to London to pick up her bib number on Saturday.

The dairy farmer, from Derbyshire, is also raising money for Farm Africa. Ms Langton, who completed the virtual run in five hours and 47 minutes, said it was difficult running in the countryside with no crowds to cheer her on.

Ashley Jury applauds the crowds © Farm Africa

Devon young farmer Helen Bellew, who finished in 04:09:12, said the atmosphere was electric. She is raising money for Bliss, which supports premature and sick babies. “Bliss helped my nephew through some tough days,” she said.

Rural surveyors Matthew Alexander and Alice Brodie also finished in under five hours. They were fundraising for DeafBlind UK and Dreamdrops children’s charity. “It was tougher than we expected, but an enjoyable experience raising funds for two deserving charities,” said Mr Alexander.

Fast times

Another Farm Africa runner, Ashley Jury, finished in an outstanding time of 02:58:03. Mr Jury grew up on a sheep farm in East Sussex and is now a veterinary surgeon in Stockholm.

Stephany Armstrong, events and partnerships officer at Farm Africa, said: “There is a long tradition of British farmers running the London Marathon for Farm Africa and this year was no different.

“It’s always fantastic to see farmers supporting fellow farmers and we are very grateful for their support.”

Freddie Hewitt after crossing the finishing line © Freddie Hewitt

Dairy farmer Freddie Hewitt, from Garstang in Lancashire, ran an impressive time of 03:50:04. Mr Hewitt is fundraising for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, in memory of his grandfather.

“It is just something I’ve wanted to do, and I only got told I could get in three months before the start date; they had some charity places left,” he said.

Mr Hewitt, who has just finished a year as chairman of Winmarleigh Young Farmers Club, was back milking cows on Monday morning (3 October).

He relied on jelly babies from the crowd to give him energy towards the end of the run, after realising at the start line he had forgotten the gels and pancakes he had prepared to eat.