People / Spotlight
Ben Smith completes 401st and final consecutive marathon
When he crossed the line in Millennium Square, Ben Smith had hardly broken a sweat. Not bad for someone who had just run a marathon.
Not just one marathon either. Because on a sunny Wednesday afternoon in Bristol, Smith completed his 401st and final consecutive marathon – running the equivalent of here to Sydney.
On the way he became an inspiration to thousands of people across the world and raised much-needed funds for Stonewall and Kidscape, anti-homophobia and bullying charities.
is needed now More than ever
It was fitting that after Smith crossed the line accompanied by dozens of schoolchildren and runners, he quickly found his boyfriend Kyle Waters to give him an embrace caught by television cameras from local, national and international media swept up in this truly remarkable story of a modest man from Portishead.
Smith told the gathered crowd that Kyle “believed in me every single minute of this challenge”, having given up a job and a PhD to support him during his world-beating challenge.
And then it was time to celebrate:
He’s done it! Ben Smith has completed his 401st and final consecutive marathon, finishing in Millennium Square: pic.twitter.com/Tqo3CzEAew
— Bristol24/7 (@bristol247) October 5, 2016
“I said I wasn’t going to get emotional,” Smith said. “But I’m completely blown away by the amount of support here today.”
Smith began at 10am from Millennium Square and headed out towards Portishead before returning to Bristol via the Pill towpath.
The group of schoolchildren and a few of their teachers joined him next to Vauxhall Bridge on Coronation Road, before Smith led the runners across Gaol Ferry Bridge, through Wapping Wharf, in front of the M Shed, over Prince Street Bridge, along Prince Street, Pero’s Bridge and into Millennium Square where he was greeted by cheering crowds.
Bristol24/7 accompanied Smith on the final mile of his epic feat of endurance.
Watch our live video here:
So what next for Smith? “Probably a pint tonight and a steak,” he laughed. “Then wake up tomorrow and start the rest of my life.”
Click here to donate to the 401 Challenge