Valiant Vikki smashing records for her dad

Brixham mum Vikki Francis is taking the fight to Alzheimer’s in support of her dad, who is sadly showing signs of the disease, by raising money with an epic personal best in the marathon.

Vikki smashed her own personal best time wiping almost an hour off her previous marathon record when she took part in the Alzheimer’s Society Trek26. She took 9 hours 26 minutes to complete the 26-mile course and finished 36th out of a field of 277.

Afterwards, Vikki said “It was tough. I’ve been training for weeks because the course is rated ‘very difficult’ and you can’t just turn up and go.”

Waiting at the finishing line were her three children, Maddy (13), Morgan (10), Georgia (7), her mother Lindsey Kendrick and the Brixham Mermaids, a group of friends who go sea swimming throughout the year.

Vikki said: “It was great to see the children at the finish – a real boost after more than 9 hours of slog over tricky terrain.” Morgan gave his mum a big hug and said he was “super proud” of her.

The 26-mile course started and ended in the Steam Fair field just outside Brixham and passed through Broadsands, Fishcombe Cove, Brixham Harbourside, Shoalstone, Berry Head, Mansands, Coleton Fishacre, Kingswear, up the Dart estuary to Greenway then onto Galmpton ending back at the Steam Fair field.

Vikki has so far raised more than £2,650 for the charity with donations still coming in. “I am incredibly grateful to Persimmon Homes South West for their generous sponsorship donating £1,500,” she added.

“I am really grateful to everyone who has contributed, the more money we raise to fund research the sooner a cure can be found for this cruel disease.

“My dad is showing all the signs of dementia and it is heartbreaking to see his condition deteriorate and there’s very little we can do. There is no cure, there is no treatment. That’s why fundraising events like this are so important.”

Trek26 attracted 558 people from all over the South and West and raised more than an estimated £200,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society. 277 attempted the full marathon, while 281 walked the shorter half marathon.

Not content with one marathon, Vikki is now in training for two more, one in Snowdonia on June 29. and the other in the Cotswolds on July 6.

“The people of South Devon have been wonderfully generous and I am really grateful for every penny donated. It really does make a difference. Thank you.”

People can donate to the Alzheimer’s Society using Vikki’s Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/vikki26 All money raised goes directly to the charity.