Devon pensioner speedwalking marathon for charity

He hopes to be back for a pint!

An ex-army veteran from Okehampton is hoping to raise £2,000 for Hospiscare to with a unique solo challenge.

David Barlow is undertaking a 25-week intensive training programme with his dog before the 26.2 miles route on Sunday 18 May 2025 to support permanently ill patients.

Inspired by a local news segment about the hospice charity’s dire funding situation and the cuts it was being forced to make, David decided to take on the challenge to “raise as much money as I possibly can”. 

David began his training last November, accompanied by his faithful walking companion, springer spaniel Tommy. 

David explains, “Training is going well. I’m following a training programme where the distance gradually builds up and to begin with, I was finding them shorter than my normal dog walks! Me and Tommy are never out for less than an hour and a half. He’s a springer so anything less and he gives you the look! 

“I’m ex-army, so speed marching is something I know. My pace is between 15-16 minutes per mile. I’ll be really happy if, on the day, I manage a mile or two starting with 14, even if it’s 14:59! The main thing is I make it back to Broadclyst before the pub closes!” 

Although David is undertaking his training with his faithful four-legged companion, Tommy, he will complete the marathon speedwalk on his own, explaining “Tommy’s too old for that!” 

David’s challenge is deeply personal, motivated not only by Hospiscare’s funding crisis, but by his good friend, and Hospiscare’s founder, Dr John Searle. David continues, “I knew Dr John Searle so well – I was a verger at Exeter Cathedral when he was Canon there.  

“John made me a deal – he said, if you die before me, I’ll officiate at your funeral, and if I die before you, you can be verger at my funeral. Sadly, he went first, and I couldn’t fulfil our deal because of COVID-19. Instead, I’m doing this for him. I know that if every person in our local community just donated the price of a cuppa, it would make an incredible difference.” 

Click here to send some money his way.