Coronavirus: Newtownabbey runners raise over £2,200 for NI Scrubs

Pete Lock ran a marathon in his front garden on May 2 and his wife Sharon covered six miles in aid of NI Scrubs.

Pete had been due to take part in the Belfast City Marathon on May 3, but the event was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The kindhearted Doagh Road resident decided to stage ‘Pete’s Not The Belfast City Marathon Garden Challenge’ to support the volunteers who are making scrubs for NHS staff and key workers.

Sharon had also been due to participate in a relay leg at the flagship Bank Holiday weekend event in Belfast.

Speaking to the Newtownabbey Times, Mr Lock said: “Sharon and I would like to say a huge thank you to the local and wider community for getting behind us on Saturday, May 2. We raised £2,260 for NI Scrubs, vital money that will help support the volunteers who are making scrubs for NHS and community-based key workers across Northern Ireland in this Covid-19 crisis.

“The support on the day as people passed was amazing and really appreciated. We both started our runs at 9am, with Sharon setting out to cover the equivalent leg of the Belfast City Marathon, which was 4.5 miles, but she ran on to do a full five miles.

“I kept on going to the halfway stage which took about four hours, before having a quick ten minute break for food. Miles 13 to 21 were really tough.

“Running the 25 metre loop is very tiring on the legs and also mentally quite challenging. I changed direction each mile, which was disorientating as tiredness set in and the miles never seemed to come quick enough.

“However, the support from passers by and members of our running club Monkstown Spartans helped get me through the tough bits. Although a little warm, the weather was near perfect. By time I got to mile 22 is was late afternoon and there was more shade in the front garden to keep me cool.

“Sharon came back out and ran with me over the last mile which really helped get my sore tired legs over the line.”

He added: “It took me eight hours and six minutes, more than double my first Marathon in Dublin, 2018. Part of the problem running in such a small space is the GPS is so inaccurate, with it under measuring. With over 75,000 steps taken during the run, I suspect I ran over 30 miles.

“Since the event we have still been running around the garden throughout the week, trying to keep the fitness up. We are both really looking forward to getting back out with our club and guide runners once lock down is eased sufficiently to allow us. I’m also itching to get back out on my tandem, which has also had to stop during the pandemic.

“The Just Giving page will stay open for a few more weeks, as people have still been donating. While I don’t have any further fundraising events planned in the near future, we are always keen to support charities and good causes through our love of running and cycling.”

If you would like to make a donation, go to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/peteforniscrubs?utm_id=119

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