Superheroes run for Wisbech church

Superheroes descended on Fenland at the weekend as they joined forces to raise money for a Wisbech church.

On Saturday, Tony Foice-Beard and a group of fellow runners dressed up as superheroes to run a marathon across Fenland in aid of St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church after its main fundraising event was cancelled for the first time in 56 years.

Tony, who became chairman of the church’s Rose Fair committee last year, decided that he needed to do something to replace some of the money lost due to the festival’s coronavirus cancellation - so, he decided to embark on a 26.2 mile marathon.

He said: “I became the chair last year and my first job within the role was to sadly cancel the festival for the first time in its history.

“I decided that I needed to do something to raise the vital funds for the church - I just wish I’d started a little bit smaller!

“It was my first marathon, and I’d never ran more than 20 miles, so there were some really wobbly moments but everyone rallied around and it was great.”

Along with Tony, Karl Baxter (Superman), Tracey Else (Wonder Woman), Andy Beveridge (Robin), Larissa Follen (Bat Girl), Amy Baxter (Super Girl), Dawn Ball (She-Ra) and lead support bike Neil Empson all answered the call to join the marathon.

The group ran around Wisbech, Elm, Emneth, Walsoken, West Walton, Leverington, Wisbech St Mary and back into Wisbech, encompassing 14 places of worship and finishing in St Peter’s Gardens.

Tony, who wore the costume chosen by his five year old daughter, was amazed by the support during the run.

He said: “The day flew by! It was such a shock because as I set off at 9am there were people running alongside me who just came along to support, there were people standing at the side of the road to send me off and along the way people were honking their horns in support too.”

The heroes flew through the marathon and finished in three hours and 17 minutes, smashing their target of a five hour finish time and, so far, they have raised more than £750.

Tony, who has been running with Fenland Running Club for two years, is now looking to another fundraising event next year.

He said: “Now that it’s finished I’m thinking about what to do next. I’m considering a triathlon next year but we will see what happens.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/therosefairrunner