Soldiers will be pounding the streets of the capital this weekend as they compete in the London Marathon in support of an Army charity.
Since 1981, the event has gained a reputation as one of the most popular marathons in the world. The 26.2-mile route takes participants through London City’s most famous landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf.
A number of Army personnel will take on the challenge and raise money for The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) The Soldiers’ Charity.
Among them is 51-year-old Andrew ‘Vern’ Stokes OBE MVO DL from Telford, Shropshire. The London District Garrison Sergeant Major was previously a trustee for the ABF and has run on behalf of the charity for the last two years.
This year and last I selected the ABF, a charity which I have known a lot about for some time. I know of the good work the ABF delivers, how it meets the needs of soldiers, veterans, and service families, as well as other service charities. It is commendable what the fund achieves GSM Andrew ‘Vern’ Stokes OBE MVO DL
He said: “This year and last I selected the ABF, a charity which I have known a lot about for some time. I know of the good work the ABF delivers, how it meets the needs of soldiers, veterans, and service families, as well as other service charities. It is commendable what the fund achieves.”
This year will be the fifth year Vern has participated in the marathon. This time he will run with his long-term partner, Sue. The couple have been training together and hope to make it to the finish line in five hours.
Vern said: “I always get anxious nearer the race, it’s natural to. My aim is to have fun, to share the experience with Sue and soak up the wonderful support from the public. I’ll try not to allow any nerves get in the way of that.”
With a 36-year career in the military, Vern hopes his experiences on operations and exercises will stand him in good stead.
“There is a determined, dogmatic spirit that the Army has developed in me. To help get me around the 26 miles, I will be thinking of all the good people that have offered support and/or sponsored me on this challenge, and how the money will be put to good use.”
I was inspired by the work that ABF does and wanted to support it by raising money. Being in the military I have a close affiliation to the organisation Cpl Rob Maisey
Joining the list of Army runners raising funds for the ABF this year is 33-year-old Corporal Rob Maisey from Kenilworth, Warwickshire. The 2 Army Air Corps (2AAC) groundcrew officer hopes to raise £2,000 for completing the marathon.
He said: “I was inspired by the work that ABF does and wanted to support it by raising money. Being in the military I have a close affiliation to the organisation.”
Rob has wanted to take part in the London marathon for a long time and is hoping to make it to the end of the course in under four hours.
He said: “I am feeling somewhat nervous as this has been a bucket list thing for me for most of my adult life.
“Due to the physical aspect of the military, it has allowed me to have a good level of physical fitness by allowing time in the day to train.”
Also participating is 31-year-old Sergeant Abbie Rymer from Corby, Northamptonshire. Abbie is a trained Royal Army Medical Corps Combat Medical Technician and is taking on an extra challenge for the race.
Training has looked different for me than for many others who are running London 2024, as I decided to add an extra layer to the challenge of completing - I’ll be running with a 15kg bergen! Sgt Abbie Rymer
She said: “Training has looked different for me than for many others who are running London 2024, as I decided to add an extra layer to the challenge of completing - I’ll be running with a 15kg bergen!”
“I have made it up to 20 miles on Salisbury Plain Training Area and that has given me the psychological boost I needed to believe 26.2 miles is possible. I’m also hoping that the hills of Salisbury Plain will make the flat course around London feel that bit easier!”
Abbie chose to run this year’s marathon for ABF as she understands the importance it holds within the Army community.
She said: “ABF is our charity and I feel it’s important we support it, as it will be there for us should we ever need it.”
For more information on ABF visit: https://armybenevolentfund.org/