Friends pay tribute to marathon legend and RAF Lossiemouth corporal Jon Ward at Elgin Parkrun in virtual 5k event held by Moray Road Runners and Hereford Couriers clubs

Memories of a heroic runner who competed in more than 100 marathons have been shared at a virtual charity event.

The third annual Jon Ward 5k race was held in memory of a former Moray Road Runners athlete and RAF Lossiemouth corporal who died in 2020.

Friends from the Moray club ran a virtual 5k alongside the Hereford Couriers club in England who Ward also represented during his incredible running career.

The physical race was held in Hereford with Moray runners competing virtually in their own area.

Former club colleague Kevin Morrison said: “Jon was a member of MRR and an inspirational athlete who had ran over 100 marathons.

“Other members of the club chose to couple the race with the actual Parkrun event itself. We then proceeded to have our annual takeover of Elgin Parkrun by filling voluntary roles all with members of the club.”

Ward, who passed away at the age of 34, was a renowned runner who picked up countless medals and awards at distances ranging from 5k to ultra running, and was proud to be a member of the 100 Marathon Club.

He ran his 100th marathon in 2018 and became the first person to run the entire length of the North East 250 route in 2019, a full distance of 260 miles.

“All proceeds from this year's virtual race went to Barnardos this year as the chosen charity,” Morrison added.