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Ben’s marathon mission in memory of his best mate and running partner
20/04/2023
The Banbury FM presenter will be raising money for the RSPCA
This weekend many local people will be heading to the capital to take part in the 43rd London Marathon. Amongst them will be Banbury FM presenter Ben Stone, who is raising money for the RSPCA.
Having started running in 2014, Ben has always wanted to compete in the annual event, but hadn’t ever managed to secure a place.
Ben was supposed to be running the marathon with his best mate Marty, who has been his running partner at a number of races. Tragically, Marty passed away very suddenly in December, having been married just six weeks earlier.
Ben said: “For me it’s made the last few months very difficult – getting out of the door very difficult. Mentally that’s strange for me because I’ve run for quite a few years and love doing it. I absolutely love getting out at the end of a working day and going for a run.
“So for me, to have in my head I don’t want to do this has been quite a big thing to get over.
“I think I’ve worked myself into a position now where I’m determined to enjoy it. If Marty were here now he’d be saying ‘crack on Ben, you have got to do this’. So I’ll be running for the RSPCA on Sunday and I’ll be running for Marty.”
This will be Ben’s third marathon, having completed the Manchester Marathon in 2019 and the virtual London marathon in 2021.
Ben knew training for the 26.2 mile marathon would be quite a commitment. He said: “You have to put the time in. I try and go out with friends when I possibly can, but not everyone wants to come and run 18 miles on a wet Sunday with you!
“So it is a commitment to yourself when you enter, to give yourself the best option.
The RSPCA is Ben’s chosen charity. He said: “We rescued two cats from the RSPCA in 2009 – Rascal and Oscar. Through the pandemic having animals around the house really helped because we weren’t seeing our friends, but we did have Oscar and Rascal.
“Oscar was diabetic and he passed away in August last year. When that happened I thought running the marathon for the RSPCA would be a good way to say thank you to them.
“They support over 100,000 animals each year who’ve suffered through cruelty or neglect. Their volunteers do a great job. There’s 25 of us running for the RSPCA on Sunday, which isn’t a huge number compared to other charities, but every penny we can raise for them is something they’re really grateful for.”
On Sunday Ben will be runner 6598. He is due to start at 10.12am and is looking for a time of around 3 hours 25 minutes, based on his previous marathon performances.
He said: “I want to enjoy the day. I want to raise the money for the RSPCA and really do Marty’s memory proud.”
If you would like to donate to Ben’s fund raising for the RSPCA you can do so here.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam