Wellingborough firefighter prepares to run marathon in full kit

18 April 2024

News image — Ronnie Sherratt will run in full firefighter's kit including the helmet

BBC/Ollie Conopo Ronnie Sherratt (short brown hair) with firefighters' protective clothing and helmet — Ronnie Sherratt will run in full firefighter's kit including the helmet

A firefighter is preparing to run the London Marathon wearing a full uniform - complete with breathing apparatus.

Ronnie Sherratt, who is based at Wellingborough and Rushden stations in Northamptonshire, will appear in the big race for the fifth time.

He said this year's event was likely to be his last, so he wanted to add the extra challenge of protective clothing and equipment.

He will run in memory of his friend and raise money for charity.

Ronnie Sherratt Man in firefighter uniform running whilst dragging a hose behind him, A man is running beside him. — Mr Sherratt took part in the British Firefighter Challenge in Manchester in 2023

Mr Sherratt was no stranger to tough challenges.

As well as completing four marathons in the capital, he was part of a winning team in the 2023 British Firefighter Challenge in Manchester.

That competition involved various tasks in full kit such as pulling a fire hose, dragging a 70kg (11st) dummy and moving a heavy weight with a hammer.

Ronnie Sherratt Ronnie Sherratt with a red cylinder on his back — Mr Sherratt will have an oxygen cylinder on his back during the marathon

Although the London Marathon would not involve any task apart from running, Mr Sherratt would wear "full structural firefighting kit, full breathing apparatus set with a cylinder on my back, and a firefighter helmet."

The kit weighs about 25kg (3st 13lb) when dry but rain could add another 10kg (1st 8lb).

Mr Sherratt wanted "to do something a bit special" for his last marathon and said: "I'm raising money for Headway East Northants based in Irthlingborough, and to challenge myself a bit, I thought I'd put on all the fire kit as well and do it in memory of a friend we lost at Christmas."

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service Hilmi Say with short hair and beard in firefighter dress — He would run in memory of his friend, firefighter Hilmi Say

His friend, Hilmi Say, died from cancer at the age of 40 in December and had a firefighters' guard of honour at his funeral.

Mr Sherratt said he was averaging around 12 minutes per mile during training and was hoping to complete the course in around six hours.

He hoped his efforts would be rewarded with a large cheque for Headway, the brain injury charity.

"They do all kinds of things, lots of activities, lots of socialising and, like all charities, they need money to survive," he said.

And when the going gets tough, he said he would keep telling himself: "I know I can do this, I've promised someone I'll do this, I'm raising money for charity, I'm doing this."