We went the extra mile for our marathon wedding
Rachel and Garry
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Getting married while running a marathon might not be everyone’s idea of the perfect wedding, but Garry and Rachel Keates went the extra mile to do just that at St Bride’s church, Fleet Street, London.
They had always wanted to marry in church, but also wanted a break with tradition. After considering a lot of creative ideas, they decided to run the London Marathon together and get married in church along the way.
Garry had run five marathons but this was Rachel’s first and she said Garry had encouraged her all along the way.
“We had already run 24 miles when we diverted off the course to head for the Vicar’s house. Canon David Meara of St Bride’s had offered his home for us to freshen up. It added 1 mile to the marathon so I guess we really did go the extra mile for our wedding day,” said Rachel.
The couple were joined by family and friends at the church including Garry’s son and best man Kyle, 11, and Rachel’s daughters Anna, 13, and Robyn, eight, who were bridesmaids.
Canon David Meara also helped the couple develop the service to make their wedding day very personal. He said: “Garry and Rachel’s own Vicar Tony Burford came to St. Bride’s to perform the ceremony with me, and Rachel’s mother, a retired Methodist Minister, took part too.
"In the Bible, St. Paul’s image of running the race to win the prize gave a very positive spiritual dimension to what they were doing and they raised a considerable sum of money for the Children’s Society as well. Altogether a win-win situation!”
The couple crossed the finish line as newlyweds after seven hours and five minutes from the start of the run.
Rachel added: “When we finished the race we felt we’d made a double achievement. From start to finish it was a fantastic experience.”
Rachel and Garry's wedding made the headlines in several national newspapers. To read more about it and see more pictures, follow the links below:-
Run for your wife: couple marry while taking part in London Marathon Daily Telegraph
Marathon effort to make it to the church on time as couple exchange vows 24 miles into race Daily Mail
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