Maldon district runners tackling gruelling London Marathon

Established in 1981, the course is primarily set around the River Thames, starting in Blackheath and finishing at the Mall.

Completing the marathon is no mean feat as it is the second-largest annual road race in the UK.

Mum-of-three Jennifer Perry, 41, from South Woodham Ferrers, will be among the thousands of runners taking part.

She is participating in the marathon in a bid to raise £2,000 for the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).

Older brother Andrew, now 43, was born with the rare Alagille syndrome, which causes liver problems as a result of having fewer small bile ducts than normal.

Jennifer said the London Marathon was something she “always wanted” to do and praised her family for their support while she fit in training around working hours.

She added: “Although it would be great to achieve a time I’m proud of, I don’t underestimate what a challenge the marathon will be.”

Also taking up the challenge is Ben Fuller, 50, as a tribute to mum June.

Former secondary school teacher June, from Cold Norton, was diagnosed with a low-grade brain tumour in September 1985, when Ben was just 12.

She was taken for a CT scan after collapsing in the street and required two further operations over the next 14 years, as well as radiotherapy.

Sadly, June passed away in 1999, aged 61.

Ben said: “London’s such an iconic race that if you’re ever going to run a marathon, that’s the one to do”.

Previous years have also seen runners from Maldon and surrounding areas take part.

Jack Newman braved heat and sun in 2018 when he tackled the marathon on behalf of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.

Altogether, runners raised an incredible £12,000 for the charity air ambulance service.

In the same year, Graham Newman, 51, from South Woodham Ferrers, took part to raise money for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices as part of his company’s commitment to raise £10,000 for the appeal to build a new hospice in Framingham Earl.