AMONG the thousands of marathon runners taking part in today’s race were many raising money for charities and organisations close to their heart.

For Albert Davies from Seven Dials, fundraising for the British Heart Foundation was something he had wanted to do for some time, after his best friend died of a heart attack aged just 17.

He said: “I have always said to myself that I wanted to raise money in memory of him.

“In lockdown, I got into running, realised that I was better at it than I thought, and saw that as an opportunity.”

Albert had been in training at least five days a week for today’s event - and beat the time he was aiming for, crossing the finish line in just over four hours.

Also taking to the streets of Brighton for today’s marathon was a team of teenage refugees to raise tens of thousands for Enthum House - a residential charity which gave them a home.

Enthum House comprises two residential properties in Eastbourne, which are home to 14 refugee youngsters aged 16-18, from almost as many countries.

The group, who arrived in the UK as unaccompanied minors, hope to give back to the centre that gave them shelter.

Most of the team running had been living rough in Calais, barely surviving as Europe became increasingly hostile, before arriving in Britain.

The Argus: Emma Curtis (left) and her friend Katie (right) ran today's marathon in fancy dress - as a poop emoji and a toilet rollEmma Curtis (left) and her friend Katie (right) ran today's marathon in fancy dress - as a poop emoji and a toilet roll

While some runners may have been somewhat disappointed by the delay to the Brighton Marathon this year, Emma Curtis thought that it was meant to be.

Today’s marathon coincided with what would have been her dad Brian’s 78th birthday, and his 56th wedding anniversary. Sadly, instead of celebrating, she paid tribute to him in the marathon after he passed away from bowel cancer.

She ran the 26.2 mile race with her friend Katie to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK, and raise awareness of the illness.

As an added challenge, both Emma and Katie donned costumes for the race; with Emma dressed as a poop emoji, and Katie as toilet paper.

Speaking after the race, Emma said she felt like a local celebrity, with people cheering and shouting poo-related jokes as they went past.

“I saw Fat Boy Slim - he said ‘Go on Emma! He cheered me on,” she said.

Today’s marathon also marked an important day for Anne Houston - the day coincided with the 13th birthday of her mum’s dog Mungo.

Her mum, Barbara, passed away from Covid in January and Anne ran the marathon to raise money for her chosen charity - Canine Partners.

Anne said: "Mum had been wheelchair dependent since 2003, with Lupus and Transverse Myelitis. Canine Partners provided her with her canine partner, Mungo, in 2010 and it changed her life.

"He was able to help her be independent again. He picked up anything that she dropped, he helped her in and out of bed, to get dressed and undressed, pick up the phone for her, he allowed her to go shopping, to be social, and people stopped ignoring her. He built up her confidence and gave her happiness."

William Goodge, from Ampthill in Bedfordshire, took the challenge of the marathon to the next level - with his race today the 15th marathon of 48 he is running over the course of 30 days.

Raising money for Macmillan after his mum Amanda died from cancer in 2018, he is running a marathon in each county in England.

The rugby player-turned model will beat a World Record if he is successful.

William said: "“I want to show people what she has enabled me to do. That and trying to show others that emotion equals energy.

"Life isn’t always wonderful, but we can use our pain as fuel for something positive.”

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