Newark mum and daughter duo set to run half-marathon for RSPCA

A paw-some duo will tackle a challenge dressed up as their pet pooches.

The dog-mad mum and daughter, from Newark, are set to take on a half-marathon to raise funds for the RSPCA.

Every Saturday for Susan Parry and daughter Rachael Sutton involves a multiple-mile run.

The pair have been training together in preparation for the London Landmarks Half-Marathon on Sunday.

Known by friends, family and supporters as The Two Barmy Bassets, the pair will be easy to spot as they make their way around central London wearing dog costumes and with painted faces to become their own pets, and raise more than £700 for the animal welfare charity.

They have always enjoyed a close relationship, particularly through their love and devotion to their dogs ­— Sue’s Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen named Lucy, who died in November, and Rachael’s one-year-old Basset Hound Barney.

Running has never come easy to the duo, who describe themselves as plodders, rather than serious runners.

It was a difficult period around ten years ago that prompted Sue to make a commitment to something she had always wanted to do, but never believed she could ­— run a marathon. Over the months she spent training Sue lost three stone and felt fitter than ever when she completed her first London Marathon in 2013. She ran it a second time in 2016.

Since then she has enjoyed several more runs including 5k and 10k challenges, and even a Where’s Wally run.

Sue said: “After a really difficult time, I decided enough was enough and I was going to pick up the pieces of my life and get back on track. Running a marathon was a huge undertaking and pretty ambitious, but I was so determined ­— and looking back it was an incredible turning point in my life. I’d also suffered a serious back injury in my twenties so the marathon training was part of my fight to get back to good physical fitness too. The weight loss was a welcome bonus.”

Rachael, 24, followed in her mum’s footsteps and caught the running bug when she moved to live in Brussels and Vienna for her third year of university, donning her trainers to get a feel for the unfamiliar cities as well as keeping fit.

Today, both live in the Newark area and meet every Saturday morning at their local Parkrun to train.

Sue, who has recently retired, and Rachael, who works in communications, also enjoy walks together with Barney.

Sue added: “I absolutely love spending time with Barney, and I’m lucky I get to look after him regularly. He was great friends with my beloved dog, Lucy, who I lost in November at age 14. I miss her terribly, but Barney keeps me going. Animals are so incredibly special, and that’s why we have chosen to raise funds for the RSPCA through our half-marathon.

“I’ve been lucky to learn a lot about the work of the RSPCA through my career when I worked at Nottingham Trent University teaching English. I taught BTEC students at its land-based college, many of whom were enrolled on equine, farm and animal management programmes, and my role was to help them improve their academic skills. Part of their work was writing assignments about animal charities which often included the RSPCA, so I became more aware of the charity’s work.

“I’m blown away by the work they do, and both Rachael and I were also particularly moved to raise funds because of the current issues of lockdown puppies being given up. As a family who did get a puppy in lockdown, we knew we were going to be able to provide for Barney for his whole life but it seems so many other people weren’t so responsible and now many young dogs are finding themselves being given up for adoption or worse, being neglected or abandoned. We’re so grateful to everyone who has sponsored us so far and would welcome any further support, no matter how small.”

The 13.1 mile run weaves through central London including Westminster and the City. Sponsor the pair here.