A BULFORD soldier who was unable to take part in the London Marathon will be doing the challenge virtually instead.

Surya Limbu, 34, was due to take on the London Marathon for SSAFA, the Armed forces charity, this April but following the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown, the race was cancelled.

The London Marathon team created the Virtual London Marathon in its place, allowing runners to take on the challenge virtually alongside thousands of other runners on Sunday, October 4.

Surya said: “I was disappointed when the London Marathon couldn’t go ahead as planned in April, but I definitely think it was the right thing to do. Plus, I’m really looking forward to taking part in the event virtually.”

Surya currently serves at Bulford Camp (HQ 3 Div Unit).

His father worked as an Ex-Gurkha Transport Logistics and served in Hong Kong, and his grandfather was ex-infantry and fought in the Second World War.

Salisbury Journal:

Surya has been taking training seriously, completing the Salisbury Trial Marathon last year, as well as the Farnborough Winter Half Marathon and Sarajevo Half Marathon in Bosnia.

The live virtual event on October 4 will invite runners to run the London Marathon in their own way, joining up to 45,000 runners up and down the country – and across the world – in the virtual 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon, The 40th Race.

Surya decided to raise money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity after his first-hand experience of working the military.

“I am even more determined to raise money for SSAFA after the Covid-19 outbreak and pandemic. The money raised will go towards supporting elderly veterans, serving personnel and their families when they need it most," he added.

SSAFA provides support to regulars and reserves in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force and their families, including anyone who has completed National Service.

To support Surya fundraising efforts visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LimbuKancha

For more information about SSAFA go to ssafa.org.uk