Hampden Park family recreate London Marathon in their garden

Rosebery Avenue resident Sue Fry, her partner Liz, and their ten-year-old son Fin took part in the challenge last weekend.

All active members of Eastbourne Rovers athletics club, and keen Park Runners – the family ran in relay, to complete the 26.2 miles in an impressive time of three hours 57 minutes.

Traffic cones, bunting and tapes helped to mark the course and they were armed with a lap marker board and stop watches.

Sue said: “Back at Christmas, I was diagnosed out of the blue with bowel cancer. It was a huge shock.

“In March I had surgery – and brilliant care and treatment – at the Conquest Hospital, and this week I have started chemotherapy through the DGH.

“But we wanted to show our thanks in a practical way, and so I opened a Just Giving page for Bowel Cancer UK, hoping to raise perhaps £100.

“Anyway, with the London Marathon called off, we decided to bring the marathon to Hampden Park.

“It was great sport, a great challenge – and the last time I looked, my Just Giving total has passed the £4,000 and still rising.”

The family’s road, Rosebery Avenue, is a popular thoroughfare into Hampden Park, and in brilliant sunshine the runners drew applause and encouragement from a steady, and socially distanced, stream of dog-walkers, power-walkers and Sunday strollers.

No strolling, though, for youngest team member Fin, who ran 90 of the 355 laps, as well as doubling as race commentator with a powerful megaphone.

Sue said: “He’s been my rock.

“He pitched in with the whole project with such energy – and in the afternoon he was back playing football in the back garden!”

You can donate to the cause here