Mark Wright and his brother were proud to cross the finish line of the 2023 London Marathon together, just weeks after Joshua welcomed home his baby boy who was born 12 weeks early. The brothers embarked on the journey together with their mum and dad, Big Mark and Carol Wright.
The brothers were greeted by friends and family, including Mark's wife Michelle Keegan, Joshua's wife Hollie and their eldest son Josh, one, as they completed the gruelling 26.2 miles today (Sunday, April 23). They both finished the race with a time of three hours, 36 minutes and 53 seconds.
Forner The Only Way Is Essex star Mark, 36, and Ebbsfleet United footballer Joshua, were also cheered over the finishing line by their sister Jess, 37, and Natalya, 22.
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The family ran as ambassadors for Flora’s Making Healthy Switches campaign, in a bid to encourage the nation to make positive lifestyle changes for themselves and the planet. Sharing a collection of photos from the day Mark wrote on his Instagram: "Completing both our second marathons, but this time together!!
"Wouldn’t have wanted to cross the line with anyone else. We have done some things and seen some places together as brothers, now we add a new one the list. The @londonmarathon. Love this kid so much @joshwright4444 another one ticked off boy." And Josh replied: "Emotions off the scale but something else ticked off. Love ya bro."
Mark filmed as they embarked on the journey, saying: "All jokes aside, the time has come we're standing at the start line, we're doing this for Flora making healthy switches, showing you if my mum and dad can do a marathon which is so against what they can physically do then you can do something more today than you did yesterday."
And after they crossed the finishing line he admitted that his time "wasn't quite what I wanted but still better than last time." But he added: "We've got to keep improving, that's what life is about." He added that their mum and dad were 'miles back' on the track. "I'm sure I'll see them in a few hours time," he said.
Mark, who married Brassic star and former Coronation Street actress Michelle in 2015, previously shared an inspirational video montage the day before the marathon showing his training, saying: "Come wind rain or shine, we get out and get it done."
He continued: "Anyone who’s trained for a marathon knows how hard it is - training while everyone else is doing something fun or chilling out. Training when you often really don’t want to, fitting it in around your job and family but in the end you always feel incredible getting it done & tomorrow it’ll all be worth it.
"I’m equally nervous and excited but most of all can’t wait for the atmosphere and to be running it with the bro @joshwright4444 & knowing somewhere out there on the track (behind us ) my mum and dad will be doing there all to get it done too.
Proud to be running as part of @flora’s Making Healthy Switches campaign. All about inspiring people to make switches to their own lives to be healthier and happier."
He signed off by saying: "And last of all… so proud of my mum and dad. Pushing themselves out of their comfort zone and I really hope that they show people if they can do it, you can too!"
Chef.dave85 congratulated: "Well done mate smashed it". Michellebeasty applauded: "Well done lads. You smashed it." And clairemartinelock said: "Well done guys you’ve both done amazing congratulations!"
Josh and Hollie welcomed their second son Dustin into the world in February after he was born prematurely at 28 weeks. TV presenter Mark shared an adorable photo of the proud auntie and uncle holding him and said: "We finally met our little premature warrior Dustin. He’s perfect and was so worth the wait."
On April 9 Hollie announced: "We welcome home our other little Easter bunny….Dustin Joshua Rory WrightHe’s FINALLY coming home 8 weeks later, our little Dusty."
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