Ex-soldier Pete Digby warms up for marathon oven pull
Pete Digby with the Aga oven that he will pull through Essex on Sunday - Credit: Solent News and Photo Agency
EX-PARATROOPER Pete Digby says he will finally complete his mission to drag an oven around a marathon course this weekend.
The 42 year old had planned to haul the 250kg cast iron Aga, nicknamed Agatha, at last month’s London Marathon but was banned from doing so by organisers.
Its wheels were in breach of the run’s rules, he was told, and a rejigged version on plastic runners was ruled out on health and safety grounds.
So instead, Mr Digby, along with running partner Paul Milson, carried mock Aga ovens on their backs, finishing in just under six-and-a-half hours.
The stunt, designed to raise as much money as possible for their chosen charity, the Afghanistan Trust, marked an unusual kitchen-themed hat-trick for Mr Digby, who carried a fridge in 2010 and a washing machine in 2011.
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But he still wanted to complete his original plan to pull the Aga, so he and Mr Milson have been warming up for Sunday’s (May 12) Halstead and Essex Marathon.
“We’ve had the green light to do it so we’re going to finish off our mission. We’re being allowed to start an hour and a half early. We’ll then finish with the main pack, hopefully in five-and-a-half to six hours. We’re looking forward to it.”
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Mr Digby, who lives near Spaldwick, inspected the course on Saturday (May 4). “There are some slight hills in it. Paul has a vital role. He will be doing the majority of the braking going downhill and will be pushing me uphill. Between the two of us we’ll be able to do it.”
The pair’s fundraising total for the trust, which supports Parachute Regiment soldiers who have served in Afghanistan and their families, was £6,500.
To help them reach their £10,000 target, visit www.justgiving.com/agaman
