Two firefighters from Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service will attempt to run the notorious Athens Marathon in November while dressed in their firefighting gear and each carrying a 25-metre hose to raise money for charity.
Marco and James met on their firefighter apprenticeship programme and immediately clicked due to their shared passion for exercise, the outdoors, and adventure.
Later, while at Fire Service College, they started considering potential fundraising ideas that would enable them to quench their thirst for adventure while providing an opportunity to raise funds for the charities close to their hearts; The Fire Fighters Charity, The Curtis Palmer Program and Hope for Children.
Marco explained how the pair eventually settled on the idea of running the Athens Marathon: “After bouncing a few ideas back and forth we decided that we should visit the birthplace of endurance running, Athens - the stage of the first ever marathon.
“However, subject to our new roles within the service, it seemed only apt that we take on this challenge wearing firefighting leggings, carrying a rolled-up length of hose.
Athens is the birthplace of the marathon. In 490 BC, messenger Pheidippides is said to have run from Marathon to Athens to deliver news of the Greek victory over Persia at the Battle of Marathon. Unfortunately, he then collapsed and died!
The entire course is run on asphalt. The first 12km are level. The middle 19km are gentle long hills. The final 11km are downhill.
Marco and James will be running the race on the 13th November.
If you would like to sponsor Marco and James click here
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