Melton teenager completes lockdown marathon challenge in aid of NHS

Joe Allen (17) completed the distance of just over 26 miles on Saturday, staring from the country park and finishing close to his family’s home on Hunt Drive.

Fittingly, the Melton Vale Sixth Form College student ran the last two miles with mum Susie, whose vital work as a community nurse during the coronavirus pandemic inspired him to take on the fundraiser.

Joe, who raised £260 for NHS Charities Together, told the Melton Times: “Along the route I had my parents, Stuart and Susie, in their car supporting me and driving alongside me with essentials such as energy drinks, water and energy tablets to keep me going, and they stopped at various checkpoints and cheered me on.

“There were signs on the car which said ‘Go Joe Go’ which was an idea from a neighbour who generously donated towards my marathon which attracted attention from people trotting with their horses and cars driving past.

“The route then carried through to Scalford where my mum ran the last couple of miles with me and I finished half a mile from my home.”

Joe used a digital device to track his progress and to prove he had covered the full marathon distance, which he finished in four hours and 43 minutes.

He started with three-and-a-half steady laps of the country park , which he said was busier than expected, and carried on to Thorpe Arnold, down Lag Lane and then onto Burton Lazars, where his shoe laces became untied causing him to stop for the only time during the gruelling run.

He then ran down Sawgate Road to the railway tracks where his parents opened the gates to save him time and energy.

Joe’s marathon carried on to Wymondham and up to Garthorpe, which he said was the most challenging part of the route as it consists of a lot of steep and seemingly never ending hills, before arrive in Waltham.

His mum then became a temporary traffic warden wearing a high vis bib to ensure it was safe for her son to cross the A607.

It was then on to Scalford and back home to Melton where Joe arrived exhausted but pleased he had completed his challenge.

He added: “I received lots of supporting messages from family whilst on the run which helped me carry on,

“And I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported and donated to me before, during and after my marathon and I am really happy that I reached my £250 target on my fundraising page.”

Go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joe-allen2020 if you would like to to make a donation to Joe’s fundraising effort.

**Another Melton youngster - six-year-old Dorrie McPherson - has also finished her own remarkable fundraising effort in aid of health workers.

Dorrie, a Year Two pupil at Sherard Primary School, also completed a marathon distance by running a series of short loops of streets near her family’s home.

Starting on April 24, little Dorrie reached the 26.2 mile total distance on Monday, raising an incredible £2,275 for the Leicester Hospitals Charity.

After finishing her marathon, Dorrie said: “I feel good but I want a break from running now.

“I am really excited to raise so much money for the hospitals.”

Mum, Caroline, told the Melton Times: “We would like to say how proud we are of Dorrie and her determination to complete her challenge.

“Also a massive thank you to everyone who has supported her with kind words, donations and support en route for her last lap yesterday, it really meant the world to Dorrie.”

Go to www.gofundme.com/f/dorries-marathon-in-a-month-for-leicester-nhs to sponsor Dorrie’s efforts.