HUNDREDS of runners took to the streets of a South Yorkshire village in memory of a hero commando killed in Afghanistan.
Around 1,500 runners – young and old, serious and not so serious – lined up outside the Bridge Inn on Cote Lane, Thurgoland, yesterday to take part in the second annual Billy The Kid Dash in memory of David Marsh.
Former Penistone Grammar pupil David, a 23-year-old father-of-one serving with 40 Commando Royal Marines, was killed along with his commanding officer Lieutenant John Thornton as they patrolled southern Helmand Province in February last year.
His widow Claire and daughter Molly, now aged two, went to live in Northern Ireland to be closer to their family when David died.
But they both came back to Sheffield for the race – and Molly was pushed round the course in her pushchair by her granddad Gary.
Many of David's comrades from the Marines also completed the dash – as did Sheffield United captain Chris Morgan.
Some walked, some crawled, but most ran the 3.5 miles around Thurgoland.
The circular course had a special poignancy, for it followed a route fitness fanatic David ran many times in training.
And following the race the shattered competitors enjoyed live music, a hog roast, a barbecue and a raffle.
Proceeds from the day will go to the Royal Marines Benevolent Fund.
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