URMSTON’S very own Michael Jackson moonwalked the entire Manchester Marathon on Sunday – and was the very last person to cross the finish line.
Martin Green, 43, donned the King of Pop garb to complete the 26-mile route backwards.
He was joined by monkey Bubbles, a.k.a 41-year-old Stephen Tanswell, and the duo blasted out ‘Off The Wall’ on repeat on the course.
They were part of a 13-strong cohort from the Urmston-based Riff Raff Society, a group of big-hearted “well-doers” who help people facing challenging situations, such as ill health or misfortune, by selflessly fundraising for them through a variety of ‘madcap’ events and adventures.
Just after half way through the course, “Michael and Bubbles” met up with fellow Riff Raffer Stephen Collins, who had suffered foot problems, and the trio were the last people to make it to the end, with a time of 9 hours and 30 minutes.
Martin, who walked his dog Rita backwards for six weeks in prep for the event, ran into a van, car and fence along the way.
“Michael Jackson and Bubbles is just a metaphoric reflection of the fun we try and bring to our antics,” said Martin.
“I loved Michael Jackson so I thought that having a speaker strapped to my back playing his tunes all the way around would make it bearable.
“After 16 miles, Steve and I were totally Michaeled out and glad when we lost battery power. Round about that same point they closed the course on us and we hooked up with another Riff Raff athlete Stephen Collins who suffers with foot problems. We formed a trio until the end some five hours later.”
And the support on the roadside helped the men keep pushing on. Videos of the red-pleathered pair circulated on social media and people came out just to catch a glimpse of them as they went by.
“The support was outstanding. As social media spread the message throughout the day we got standing ovations as we passed by the local public houses as people enjoyed the sun,” said Martin.
“Three miles from the end a local chap called Shaun who had spotted us on Facebook saw us through his window on Urmston Lane and came out barking motivational command like ‘you’ve got this’ and he shouted at us all the way to the finish. It was unbelievable.”
After the marathon, Martin, who had been battling a bug, had to head to the doctors for antibiotics and an inhaler for his “ruined chest”.
And he wasn’t the only one to complete the mean feat. Other names on the Riff Raff Society’s honour roll are: Lynn Murray, at 4hrs 46 mins; Mark Wild at 4hrs 49 mins; Ludmilla Fruvola at 4hrs 49 mins; Lee Race, 5hrs; Sarah Bracewell at 5hrs 11 mins; Kathy Earle at 5hrs 23 mins; Lisa Sykes at 5hrs 24 mins; Warren Holden at 7hrs 7 Mins; Lee Parker at 7hrs 7 Mins; and Damien Farrell at 6hrs 57 mins.
SOURCE: Messenger
