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Man tackling 'wheelie' hard half-marathon event

Justin Dealey,in Stevenageand
Alex Pope,Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire
News imageJustin Dealey/BBC Daniel Fairbrother, with a large wheelie bin on his back. He is looking at the camera, wearing a colourful T-shirt. He is by a road with a grass verge, and there are trees on the other side. Justin Dealey/BBC
Daniel Fairbrother can be seen out and about training in Stevenage, with a wheelie bin strapped to his back

Not content with running the London Marathon with a fridge on his back or in a pair of sliders, a fundraiser is taking on his next challenge - but this time, with a wheelie bin.

Daniel Fairbrother, from Stevenage, will compete in the St Albans Half Marathon as "The Bin-credible Hulk", while carrying a 30kg (66lb) bin he got permission to use from the borough council.

He said the bin would be more difficult than the fridge as it was "bigger and heavier", and could get knocked "all over the show" by the wind.

He added that between training runs he had been keeping it in his living room, "as it's too precious to have outside". His challenge will raise money for two young disabled girls.

News imageDaniel Fairbrother Daniel Fairbrother, standing by a red brick wall, with shorts and a T-shirt on, with a large black wheelie bin on his back. He is side-on. He is wearing a cap that is on the other way round.Daniel Fairbrother
Fairbrother said taking his bin for a jog in Stevenage "brightens up people's day a little bit"

Fairbrother, 37, said: "I've got the bin propped up next to the sofa. I lower myself down, I get the straps as tight as I can, and hopefully I can stand up.

"It's a good half a foot taller than the fridge and it's going to weigh about 5kg (11lb) more.

"It's bigger and heavier, it's a lot more difficult, more challenging.

"Obviously it's a large shape, a large mass on my back.

"The wind catches it, the slightest breeze, and it's knocking me all over the show, so it just uses up extra energy."

News imageThe fridge-wearing runner proposes to his girlfriend, during the London Marathon. Daniel Fairbrother is kneeling down, wearing a dark cap, dark clothing, and he has tattoos on his arm and legs. Hayley, to the right, has her hands to her face, has long dark hair and is wearing a white coat. There are runners running in the background and spectators standing behind smiling and taking photos.
Fairbrother proposed to his girlfriend Hayley, now his wife, at mile 25 of the London Marathon in April 2024

Fairbrother added that his knees had "already taken quite a pounding" during training.

"I can feel the shin splints coming back - I've got to be really careful."

He said he had not prepared for the hills in the St Albans event, on 14 June, which were pointed out on the event's website, admitting: "I did miss when I booked it."

He is taking part to raise money for twin sisters Harper and Marlowe, five, who have cerebral palsy and are close family friends.

"I've got to know the girls over the last few years, and they're amazing.

"They're the brightest, bubbliest girls you'll ever meet.

"Their parents are endlessly trying to fundraise for additional therapy, intensive therapy and physio sessions, along with equipment. I've always wanted to do my little bit for them."

News imageDaniel Fairbrother Daniel Fairbrother wearing bright green slider shoes on his feet, crouching down in a street. He is wearing a white T-shirt, black shorts and black gloves. It is dark and you can just see cars and houses in the background.Daniel Fairbrother
Fairbrother, who ran the London Marathon in sliders in 2025, said he felt the whole community was getting behind him for his next challenge

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