Sailor’s marathon effort inspired by sport star’s illness

Seven marathons in seven days is the effort being made by Able Rate (Supply Chain) Eddy Eggleton, inspired by the plight of rugby league icon Rob Burrow.

The logistician, based at HMNB Portsmouth, is a Hull FC fan but was moved to action by Rob Burrow’s development of motor neurone disease, and a similar running challenge undertaken by Burrow’s former Leeds teammate Kevin Sinfield.

Starting each morning from the base’s Waterfront Logistics Support Group, and taking the same route around Portsmouth to Gosport and back, Eddy aimed to raise £1,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association when he planned his endeavour. But before starting the third marathon he had already burst through £1,500.

Eddy, from Barton-Upon-Humber and a Royal Navy sailor for five years, had done two marathons before and generally runs about 25 miles a week but even after the second run he’s found the going tough.

“Whatever pain I am going through during the seven days is nothing compared to what people with MND go through,” he said.

“I love what Rob Burrow brought to rugby league, being a little man in a massive man’s game, and for someone with the heart of a lion to be debilitated with MND is awful. 

“First day of running went really well, I ran it in four hours 17 minutes, took it easy before the end because I knew I had to do it over seven days so I slowed down a bit. Yesterday was a struggle; I’ve got a dodgy ankle so I’m going to take it a bit easier now, but I’m determined that I get through all seven.”

Support for his running comes from workmate Tom Galloway, who is cycling alongside Eddy carrying water and energy gels, and running back on to base by 3pm each day will mean he can make a physio appointment and prepare for the following day’s marathon.

To donate to the Motor Neurone Disease Association via Eddy’s efforts, go to his Just Giving page.