Royal Marine To Take On Ben Nevis Marathon In Lockdown

A Royal Marine is taking on a challenge, which involves running a marathon and climbing four times the height of The Shard, from his home during lockdown.

Captain Tom Lawson, who works at 3 Commando Brigade headquarters in Plymouth, will take on the lockdown version of the Ben Nevis Marathon alongside his brother, Ralph.

The event is a race to the top of Britain's highest mountain and back down again - equivalent to running 26.2 miles, as well as ascending 4,413 feet.

The brothers will be completing the ascend with a classic Royal Marines exercise, the rope climb.

The pair will have to complete 260 individual 18 feet rope climbs to reach the height of Ben Nevis. 

“We are sticking to what is close to the heart of all Royal Marines – rope climbs, running and mountains,” said Capt Lawson.

The brothers live on a farm, and will use a 300 metre stretch of track for the running and a barn for the rope climbs.

Money raised by the challenge will be donated to the NHS, Age UK and the Royal Marines Charity. 

“With the nation in lockdown, my brother and I wanted to do what we could to support the vulnerable and the key workers by raising funds,” Capt Lawson said.

Cover image: The brothers are taking on the event from their home during lockdown (Picture: Royal Navy).