Coronavirus: Runner completes half-marathon on balcony amid lockdown

Sam Hustler was determined to complete the run and raise money for charity

A runner due to take part in a half-marathon has defied the coronavirus lockdown - by running the length of his balcony 5,000 times.

Sam Hustler, 27, was set to complete the London Landmarks Half Marathon on Sunday 29 March. However, the event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But that didn’t deter Mr Hustler, who swapped the iconic sights of Big Ben and St Paul’s Cathedral for the three-metre balcony of his apartment in Essex.

He completed the 21km trek by running 5,000 “laps” of his balcony at home in South Woodford on the morning the race was set to take place.

Organisers of the event had encouraged runners to get creative and think about alternative routes they could map out close to where they live.

However, Mr Hustler has been self-isolating with his girlfriend Chloe Skerritt, 28, since Monday 23 March when she developed a fever and a cough.

Instead, he had to make do with the views from his third-floor apartment with Chloe cheering him on, completing the half-marathon in three hours and 45 minutes.

Describing the experience, Mr Hustler said: “It was going to be my first ever half-marathon and I was excited to do it, so it was devastating when it was cancelled.

“I had put so much training in and it’s such a great cause I am running for, that I wanted to still do it anyway I could.”

He added: “I saw a video of a man in Italy who ran a full marathon on his balcony so I thought I could do a half-marathon on mine.

“I did a little 2km run on it on Tuesday and I thought well it’s boring, but I can do it.

“We have been self-isolating since Monday. We’re fine, but it’s more of a precaution really.”

Mr Hustler said he and his girlfriend had taken the decision to work from home and self-isolate to protect his mother who works for the NHS and his father who has underlying health issues.

He also wanted to honour his commitment to raising money for Haven House Children’s Hospice, which supports children with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses.

“I really wanted to do it for Haven House and raise as much money as possible,” Mr Hustler explained.

“They are an amazing charity that believes in the best possible life for every baby and child with a life-limited or life-threatening condition.”

He added: “All their fundraising events have bee cancelled and their charity shops have had to close, which was a major source of their income.”

Earlier this month, a Southampton man reportedly ran 1,066 laps in his garden after missing out on a marathon.

Gareth Allen was praised online for his determination and creativity after a video of his achievement went vital.

Those wishing to donate to Mr Hustler’s cause and support Haven House can do so by clicking on this link.