Fireman who won £100k on ITV The Chase show realises dream

Former firefighter Gavin Carter, who won ‘Beat the Chasers’ in August last year, achieved a life goal by running the London Marathon last Sunday (April 26).

The Witney local described it as “one of the best experiences of my life” and completed the 26.2-mile run in four hours, 35 minutes and 12 seconds, including fuel stops.

READ MORE: Fireman reveals London Marathon strategy after £100K ITV The Chase win

Mr Carter had previously attended the annual event as a spectator a number of times as it falls around the time of his birthday on April 25 which he often celebrates in the capital.

However, this year, the day after his 52nd birthday, he ran the race for the first time.

He said: “The training went really well which set me up for the day. I had trained to 22 miles, but that last four miles and 385 yards were hard.

Gavin Carter crossing the London Marathon 2026 finishing line (Image: Gavin Carter)

“The weather was warm, but I’d take that over heavy rain. Running it was one of the best experiences of my life and I would recommend it to anyone.”

Around 60,000 runners took part in this year’s London Marathon which also featured a new men’s world record, when Sabastian Sawe ran the first sub-two-hour marathon in a competitive race.

Supported by his family, Mr Carter took part in the event to raise money for Debra UK, an organisation that supports people with epidermolysis bullosa (EB).

At the time of writing, he is on £2,225 with members of the public able to make donations here: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/gavin-carter

He added: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has donated to this brilliant charity. I have raised over £2,000 now and I know there is more to come.”

Former firefighter Gavin Carter won £100K on Beat the Chasers (Image: Gavin Carter)

He became involved in the charity after seeing former footballer Graeme Souness’ campaign and said he was moved by the children who suffer from the condition.

Before the race, he said that when he was ‘hitting a wall’ in the marathon he had been advised by the former footballer to think of those he’s raising money for.

READ MORE: Winner of £100K on ITV The Chase spin-off in marathon test

Mr Carter said: “Graeme Souness doubled down on these poor kids with their illness, and he said, ‘when the going gets tough, just think of those little kids’.”

His participation follows a year in which he has retired from the fire service and won £100,000 on the ITV game show.

“I’ve had a fantastic year,” he said, explaining that he was grateful to have the time to train.

He added: “How these people who work nine to five managed to train for the marathon, I don’t know.”