A Bradford marathon runner is set to embark on his latest challenge in memory of a true British hero.

Emon Choudhury, Saltaire, will be participating in the London Marathon on April 21, and although he’s no stranger to running a 26.2-miler, this event will hold extra significance.

He was set to be joined at the start line by RAF veteran, Bill Cooksey, who had become the oldest person to complete the Great North Run (13-mile event) back in September of 2023 at the age of 102.

However, he sadly passed away two months later (102), and in light of his passing, Choudhury has decided to fly the flag for the centurion when April 21 comes around.

Speaking to the T&A, Choudhury, who first met Cooksey at the Great North Run, revealed that it was the veteran who had targeted a marathon attempt.

He said: “When we met back in September, I asked Bill what his next challenge was going to be, and he smiled at me and said that he’d love to do a marathon.

“It’s difficult to get a place on the London Marathon but luckily, I have a few connections and I managed to get him a spot on it.

“The plan was to let him do his thing for the most part of it, and then I’d have helped to push him in his chair for some parts of it.

“He was really happy for the plan to go ahead and was over the moon when he found out that he had the opportunity to take part in a marathon.”

Choudhury, a former winner of BBC Two's Race Across the World, has completed several marathons whilst fasting, during Ramadan, which represents a remarkable achievement.

However, his upcoming trip to the capital on April 21 was set to shine a whole new light on marathon running for Choudhury.

He admitted: “For me, I’ve done it a few times now, so the London Marathon is all about running with people and running for charities.

“Everyone has got different reasons for taking part in these events, but I felt so compelled by Bill’s story and I was honoured to be a part of it.

“I’ve spoken to his family and they’re happy for me to give my medal to him. So, I’ll be leaving my medal on his grave. For me, I do the London Marathon for different reasons now, and this time it is for Bill.”

Choudhury and Cooksey continued to meet and ring one and other after the Great North Run in preparation for the London Marathon, and the Bradfordian admitted that he was in awe of the former RAF veteran’s character.

He said: “We continued to see each other to discuss the training plan and the time scales of the preparation and that kind of thing, and I was just amazed by his enthusiasm; he was up for anything.

“I remember when I went to visit him on one occasion and he immediately asked me to go out for a run, but I was in my good clothes, unfortunately, so we had to give it a miss,” Choudhury joked.

“Because of his RAF background, he’d often share stories about his career, which were always interesting.

“In the short time I knew him, we had a strong bond and I’m upset that we can’t complete it together, however, I’m still doing it for him.”

As well as completing the London Marathon on April 21, Bradford’s Choudhury is also taking part in the Manchester Marathon this Sunday.