Two Amersham men are set to run a marathon up to a rugby club bar in a heartwarming tribute to one of the men's younger cousins, who have muscular dystrophy.

Ed Wainwright, 27, said the promise of a couple of cold beers will push him and Ollie Choules, 24, to run 26.2 miles from Marylebone to the bar at Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Football Club on Saturday (April 17).

The pair are raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) for Ed’s cousins Max and Sam Goodwyn, who have Becker muscular dystrophy.

Max had a heart transplant when he was 16 and after graduating from university, he launched a graphic design company.

Sam, who recently had a defibrillator fitted, has completed college and is now set to study media.

Ed and Ollie took on the challenge after training during lockdown.

Ed, a management consultant, said: “It started as a way to meet a friend over lockdown and to exercise a few times every week.

“When we realised lockdown would continue for some time, we decided to set ourselves a target to see how far we could push ourselves.

“Our weekends would otherwise have continued to consist of binge-watching Netflix and rugby.”

He added: “We decided to run a marathon and to raise funds. There is no better charity to support than MDUK. This belief drives our training on, through wind, rain or snow.

“We are looking forward to finishing and having a beer. But we are not looking forward to the blisters, nipple rub, hills and weather.”

Speaking about his experience of running his first marathon, Ed said: “When I ran my first marathon in 2019 I was as unfit as you can get.

“I remember on my first run with a friend, I had to pretend I had a flint in my shoe to get a breather after 10 minutes.

“But I managed to build up from that embarrassment to running a marathon and have memories that will last a lifetime.

“For anyone considering whether or not to run one, I really urge you to sign-up. You will be amazed at how far you can push yourself, especially when you have the motivation of running for this great cause.”

Louise Moffat, MDUK regional development manager for London, the South East and East of England, said: “I am very impressed with the motivation and fitness level Ed and Ollie have achieved through lockdown.

“It’s fantastic that they are doing a virtual marathon and I can’t wait to see pictures of them at the bar, once they have managed those incredible 26.2 miles.”

You can support Ed and Ollie's fundraising efforts at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/WristyMarathon.