A BRAFIELD woman has completed the virtual London marathon with her dog today, in under 6 hours, and raising over £2,000.

Deb Smith ran and completed the Virtual London Marathon today with her dog Rusty, who is a Spanish Griffon dog estimated to be six-years-old.

The Griffon breed - scent hounds used as tools for hunting in Spain and France - are sadly discarded when they are seen as no longer useful for hunting.

So, Deb – and Rusty – took on the marathon challenge in aid of the Spanish Griffon Rescue  and raised over £2,000.

The £2,000 included a coffee and cake fundraiser which took place yesterday at Wrabness Community Shop as well as 65 donations on the crowdfunding page ‘Justgiving’.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Break - Deb Smith and Rusty nearly halfway through the marathonBreak - Deb Smith and Rusty nearly halfway through the marathon (Image: Submitted)

Rusty was found in a Spanish village and was very timid and afraid of orange, fluorescent jackets as they are the same colour as his hunters.

However, Rusty is not afraid of yellow high-vis which Deb wears while running – including in today’s marathon.

Rusty was very nervous when Deb first adopted him, and he is still nervous with men as well as with deeper voices.

Deb said that Griffons are “lovely-natured”, and that Rusty is making more friends, becoming well known for going to the Parkrun every Saturday in Harwich.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Success - The Virtual London Marathon was completed by Deb Smith and Rusty in just under 6 hoursSuccess - The Virtual London Marathon was completed by Deb Smith and Rusty in just under 6 hours (Image: Submitted)

Deb used a ‘Garmin Forerunner 235’ to evidence her running and was correct in prediction that, with Rusty, it should take about six hours to complete the journey.

While in addition to proper running training, which all dogs need for long-distance running, Deb and Rusty also prepared by resting for 48 hours before the marathon itself.

In October 2022, Deb and Rusty raised £1,700 for the charity and this year it was over “2,000”.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Friendship - Deb Smith and Rusty after finishing the marathonFriendship - Deb Smith and Rusty after finishing the marathon (Image: Submitted)

Deb said: “We managed sub 6 hours which is incredible for Rusty and 25 minutes quicker than the last time”.

Deb added: “What an amazing experience, with a truly exceptional dog. Love him so much.”

“Thank you for all your support and encouragement”.

To donate visit Crowdfunding to help raise funds for SGR - Spanish Griffon Rescue on JustGiving.