TWO friends took up the challenge of running yesterday’s marathon in fancy dress - by dressing up in toilet-themed costumes.

Emma Curtis and Katie Pritchard ran the race in themed costumes to raise money and awareness for Bowel Cancer UK.

Emma, from Fiveways, said that dressing up as a poo emoji had spectators cheering her on and treating her like a local celebrity.

Among those cheering them on was Fat Boy Slim, who shouted “go on Emma” as she made her way around the course.

“It’s so much fun running in fancy dress, and especially toilet based. All the under-10s loved us, and everyone drunk loved us too, with lots of toilet based puns.

“I don’t think I can ever run without a poo costume on ever again - the support was constant.”

Katie, also from Fiveways, came dressed as a toilet roll and said: “I couldn’t stop smiling all the way."

Seeing people line the route cheering them on was a welcome return to some normality, after having run races with no spectators due to the pandemic.

Katie said: “Over the last bit of the third lockdown, my running felt very miserable.

“Having a focus when the marathon was reinstated was great.”

Emma said the only part of the event that did not feel “normal” was that the duo were hesitant to high five spectators as they ran past, or take sweets offered by supporters.

The costumes were aimed at raising awareness and money for Bowel Cancer UK, after Emma’s dad Brian passed away in 2018 from the illness.

The day of the marathon coincided with what would have been Brian’s 78th birthday, and his 56th wedding anniversary.

Emma said: “This is a horrible disease that we don’t talk about enough. Unless you’re under ten years old, we seem to be afraid to mention poo, we hope we can play a tiny part in changing that.”

The pair have raised over £1,500 for the charity - well above their initial target of £500. Both completed the race in four hours and 37 minutes.

Emma and Katie said they will return to the race for a future marathon.

“I think we have to now - we’ve become Brighton celebrities,” Emma said.

You can donate to Emma and Katie’s fundraiser at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emma-curtis25

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