Rachel set to bring the London Marathon to Northamptonshire’s canals
“By my own admission I'm not a natural runner, but The London Marathon MyWay means that I can join virtually, from anywhere, as long as I cover 26.2 miles on 26th April"
A Braunston woman will be bringing this year’s London Marathon to the canal towpaths of Northamptonshire later this month in aid of a local community boating charity based in her village.
Rachel Spruce will be putting her best foot forward and taking on the challenge of the London Marathon MyWay on Sunday 26th April in aid of LNBP Community Boating.
Rachel is a volunteer and trustee of the non-profit charity who provide residential short breaks and holidays for community groups and organisations of all ages, designed to introduce them to the beauty of our region’s canals and the benefits that can be enjoyed from being on and around them.
The TCS London Marathon MyWay provides the opportunity to complete 26.2 miles however and wherever you wish (except indoors or on a treadmill) on Marathon Day. The start line can be wherever you choose, as long as you can complete the distance between 00:00 and 23:59:59 BST on Sunday 26 April 2026.
In Rachel’s case, she will be walking the towpath of the Grand Union Canal, starting at around 7:00 am from Napton, heading towards Braunston, and then onto Norton Junction, the Buckby Lock Flight, Whilton Marina, Weedon, Gayton and Blisworth before heading for her ‘finish line’ later in the day at Stoke Bruerne.
Speaking about the walk, Rachel said, “By my own admission I'm not a natural runner, but The London Marathon MyWay means that I can join virtually, from anywhere, as long as I cover 26.2 miles on 26th April.
“For longer than I've been alive, LNBP Community Boating has been taking people from all background - and especially young people and/or those experiencing disadvantage or difficulty in life - for residential trips to experience everything our region’s canals have to offer. I've been a volunteer and trustee for LNBP for a couple of years now and know just what fabulous work they do with the experiences they provide. So bringing the two together seemed a logical step, if you will excuse the pun!
LNBP Community Boating are a non-profit charity providing the opportunity for community groups of all ages and interest both locally and from all over the UK and overseas to enjoy residential short breaks and holidays on the two full-sized canal boats they operate from moorings at Braunston, near Daventry, Northamptonshire. Since 1981, these residential breaks have provided hundreds of different groups with the chance to experience the wonderful environment of this heritage network out on the water and close to nature, and includes helping crew a narrow boat with an experienced skipper, steering, operating locks and working together and having fun as a team.
“As everyone knows, the funding climate is tough right now, especially for small charities. But LNBP’s need is also great - there are so many children, young people and others from all walks of life that they can lift up and support with their work. So I am happy to take up the challenge, hopefully the weather will be kind on the day, and I’m looking forward to getting out and experiencing the beauty of our local canal network all for a great cause.
“And I would encourage people to stop and say hello to me on the route if they see me, maybe even join me for a while, and donate if they can”.
Further details of Rachel’s London Marathon MyWay Walk including her JustGiving page where you can donate can be found here.