A PAVEMENT pounding PCSO has virtually completed a gruelling road race, raising hundreds of pounds for a vital cancer charity.

Ian Pealling, an officer for the Castle Point and Rochford Community Policing Team, defied the torrid weather on Sunday to run the London Marathon. 

The famous event, which thousands of keen runners were due to take part in, this year saw only professional sportspeople take part, as a result of the pandemic.

Ian, therefore, had to organise his own 26.2-mile course around the Southend area, but still managed to generate £300 for Macmillan Cancer Support in doing so.

Although not a consistent runner, Ian has said being able to pound the pavements, when he can, benefits him both mentally and physically, and in life.

Fit Ian, who has been a PCSO with Essex Police for more than 15 years, also opened up about why he used the event as a vehicle to drive funding for Macmillan Cancer Support.

“I’ve been running off and on for ages, although I don’t always get around to it," he said.

"It’s great for general wellbeing and mental wellness.

“We are all affected by cancer at some stage in some way and Macmillan Cancer Support does an amazing job in so many ways."

Despite no adrenaline-raising crowds to cheer him on, Ian completed the blister-inducing challenge in an impressive 4hrs 15mins.

Speaking about the experience he said: “I’ve run a few marathons before but not for a few years and this was my first virtual marathon.

"I was fairly happy with my time, considering I tried to run an off-road section along Benfleet creek, which was a very bad idea.

"It was just water, wind and rain and no proper path. 

“In fact, the whole route was very windy and wet, but it was great, particularly along Southend seafront where there were a lot of runners.

"Most were very supportive, offering loads of encouragement to each other, and members of the public also braved the weather to cheer us all on.”