Daragh Burke, the best friend of PC Matthew Blades, will participate in Sunday's Great North Run to honour his friend and raise money for Parkinson's UK. PC Blades was one of two Cleveland Police officers who died last month when their patrol vehicle was involved in a collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough.
Mr Burke, from Guisborough, stated his intention to ensure PC Blades' running vest crosses the finish line. He added that his friend would be "laughing his head off that I'm doing it" given his starting position behind elite runners and only two weeks of training.
PC Blades had undertaken several runs this year for Parkinson's UK, a charity he supported following his mother-in-law's diagnosis. The Great North Run was intended to be his second-to-last challenge.
Caroline Rassell, chief executive of Parkinson's UK, expressed gratitude for PC Blades' support and for Mr Burke running in his place. The Great North Run company has officially reallocated PC Blades' running number to Mr Burke.