AN ENDURANCE athlete in Malvern is set to take on one her toughest challenges yet to raise vital funds for sight loss charity Guide Dogs.
Emma Chetwynd Jarvis, from Malvern will be running the London Marathon in a Guide Dog mascot suit in the hopes of bringing home £4,000 for the charity.
Emma, who is 46, has taken on extreme endurance feats before, but this time she’s adding an extra layer—fur, heat, and limited visibility.
She is also attempting to break a Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon run by a mascot (female), making this challenge even more extraordinary.
Emma and her husband Ash, who is also running the marathon in a guide dog mascot suit, were Puppy Raisers for Guide Dogs. They spent nearly a year raising a black Labrador, Page, before he entered formal training.
However, Page was withdrawn from the programme and found his permanent home back with Emma’s family.
Emma said: “Running a marathon wasn’t quite crazy enough, so when Guide Dogs offered me a place, I knew I had to do it in the mascot suit. It’s an iconic way to raise awareness for an amazing cause.
“Raising a guide dog puppy opened our eyes to the incredible work this charity does. Before we commit to raising another puppy, we wanted to fundraise to help others experience the life-changing impact these dogs have.”
Locals have already spotted Emma running in her full dog mascot suit around Malvern, Upton, and along the Worcester Riverside. The support she has received on her training runs has been overwhelming.
“I get such a great reception, especially from young children along the riverside in Worcester – I always try to give them a wave,” Emma added.
“People have been so supportive, even if I can’t always see or hear them properly in the suit.”
Running in the suit has created various challenges for Emma including hot temperatures and reduced visibility.
Despite this, Emma has been training three times a week since July, steadily building endurance and adapting to the unique demands of running in costume.
Miles Northwood, community fundraising relationship manager for Guide Dogs, said: “We’re really impressed that Emma and Ash are attempting to run the London Marathon whilst dressed in them [Guide Dog mascot suits].
“We wish Emma and Ash the best of luck with their challenge, and we’ll be cheering them on from the sidelines.”
Visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/emma-chetwynd-jarvis-1728204757821 to support the cause. Visit @embarkingmadathon on Instagram to follow Emma’s journey.
