Pier support from James Royston

The 26 year old completed the 26 mile run in three hours and 54 minutes and is saying he has no plans to run another marathon.

James, from Crowhurst, commented: “After all the work that had gone into bringing the Pier back into use, it finally looked as though we might get that important part of our town back. So I couldn’t believe it when I heard about the fire on the Pier. It was such horrible timing.

“I signed up for this marathon earlier this year, and originally just wanted to challenge myself. But after the fire, I wanted to do what I can to make sure that work has not been in vain.”

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