A FUNDRAISER who has collected more than £5million for charities is hoping to become the first person to complete the London Olympics marathon route.
Lloyd Scott, 50, of Coppice Row, Theydon Bois, has completed 35 gruelling challenges over the past 25 years, including several long-distance runs in the 140lb deep sea diving suit, which he has donned again for what he says will be his last marathon.
“It’s extremely warm,” he said. “My socks are absolutely soaking wet and the hot air is coming up through the side into the helmet – but hey, it’s my choice and it goes with the territory.”
The fishmonger ran his first marathon three weeks before a life-saving bone marrow transplant to treat his chronic myeloid leukaemia and carried on, completing the London Marathon again the following year.
His other achievements include completing a marathon under water in Loch Ness, walking from Lands End to John O’Groats with a giant dinosaur model and crawling the London Marathon dressed as Brian, the snail from the Magic Roundabout.
He set off on Monday and has passed the 17 mile mark on the course.
He plans to finish by Saturday, when he says he will hang up his deep-sea diving suit.
“It will go in the garage with all the other costumes and suits of armour,” he said. “I still want to do fundraising.”
To donate to the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, which Mr Scott’s latest challenge is in aid of, visit lloydscott.co.uk.
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