Eaton, 57, from Tamworth, UK, has run 33 marathons. Today’s stemmed from his wish to raise money from Help for Heroes, a charity that provides support to those wounded, sick or injured in the line of duty since 9/11.
The race was inspired by Eaton’s family friend, Staff Sergeant Christopher Chacksfield, who was murdered in June 2010 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Chacksfield, 31, had come through tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and Bosnia unscathed but was killed in an unprovoked attack as he waited for a taxi with his wife, who had just returned from duty in Afghanistan.
Because Chacksfield had expressed a wish to raise funds for Help for Heroes, Eaton decided to do so on his behalf.
Eaton started his marathon today at 9 a.m. on a course of just over 600mtrs (.37 miles) around the Promenade Deck of Grand Princess, while the ship was sailing near the coast of Portugal. He ran 70 laps to cover the total distance of 26.2 miles.
‘This has probably been my hardest marathon to date but it was for a very special cause and I’m grateful for all the support of the passengers and crew on board to keep me going,’ Eaton said. ‘Tonight I’ll have a big steak, for the protein to help my body recover, and a glass of wine to celebrate together with my wife Margaret.’
