Inspirational Andy and Chris race half marathon

A courageous member of Horsham Joggers with a terminal illness was allowed a one minute head start at Sunday’s Brighton Half Marathon.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Feb 2014, 10:00 BST
Horsham Jogger Andy Spriggs who has motor neurone disease being pushed in a wheelchair by nephew Chris at the Brighton half marathonHorsham Jogger Andy Spriggs who has motor neurone disease being pushed in a wheelchair by nephew Chris at the Brighton half marathon
Horsham Jogger Andy Spriggs who has motor neurone disease being pushed in a wheelchair by nephew Chris at the Brighton half marathon

Andy Spriggs had 40 marathons to his name when he was struck down by motor neurone disease, and is now in a wheelchair.

He now completes races with the help of nephew Chris, who last year pushed Andy round the Brighton Half Marathon in 2:00:59.

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This year, he beat that time by nearly 8 minutes, powering Andy’s wheelchair round the course in a stunning personal best of 1:53:08. Chris said: “It hurt. Quite a lot. But my uncle loved it!”

Andy was accompanied by 35 other Horsham Joggers.

First Jogger home Mark Greet ran his best half marathon since 2011 to finish in 1:21:09, followed by Paul Oakley in a personal best of 1:22:05. John Willcox (1:29:21) and Mark Burrows (1:29:49), who broke the 1:30 barrier for the first time, as did new recruit Stuart Adesilu (1:28:31).

Most improved runner was Nicky Paton, who beat her previous best by 10m 30s to finish in 2:11:10, with Liz Farrell slashing eight minutes off her best to hit 2:04:40. And Helen Woods was thrilled to cross the line more than six minutes ahead of her previous best in 1:55:15.