Charity challenge sees eight year old run marathon distance

The Donnington resident ran 2.6 miles a day to raise money for Children on the Edge.

Zach’s dad Nathan said: “Zach was inspired by his cousin in Nottingham who decided to do a 2.6 Challenge to raise money for NHS charities, by cycling 2.6 marathons in 2.6 days.

“Zach enjoyed following his cousin's progress and thought it was an amazing idea. He liked the idea of challenging himself, getting fit and in doing so raising as much money as he could for a charity he believes in.

"The reason this challenge is to raise money and awareness for Children On The Edge and especially that the adaptive work they have started in lockdown to provide food parcels to those who need it most - They have different challenges to us at this time and this is what Zach wanted to respond to with his challenge."

Zach lives in Donnington, Chichester with his parents Nathan and Rachel and his siblings Amelie, 10 and Jacob, 4.

His target was set at £250 but his current total is £1,500.

Nathan said: "As soon as Zach decided to do the 2.6 challenge he started day one immediately, so didn't train for it specifically. However throughout lockdown Zach has been doing the Joe Wicks PE workouts every day and running laps around our streets as part of his daily exercise."

On the last day of his challenge Zach said: “It was tiring and hard but it felt good and I was amazed at how much money was raised."

His family added that Zach loves to track and monitor things and has really enjoyed the challenge of running every day and pushing himself to improve.

He used his dad’s watch to be able to track his distance and times and has loved trying to beat his own mini targets throughout the ten day challenge.

His dad said: “Now he has completed the marathon over ten days, he is enjoying a rest saying his legs are a bit achey."

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