A determined Cliftonville youngster has completed an adult’s 5K parkrun in Margate in 45 minutes and cycled 10 miles from Margate to Reculver in two hours and 23 minutes – both before his fifth birthday!
Ruben Cutler isn’t about to let age or size stop him from his sporty endeavours as his family settle into seaside life.
Parents Rev Gavin Cutler and Adidas account director Hannah moved to the isle last year with their twins Ruben and Rufus,5, and daughter Aurora,3, for Gavin to take up his role as pastor of St Paul’s Church in Cliftonville.
Rev Cutler is a regular at the Margate Park Run, prompting Ruben to test out his own running skills.
Hannah said: “He watched Gav do it and then said ‘I want to do a park run.’ They do a park run for kids on Sunday morning but my husband’s the priest at St Paul’s so we can’t do that, so Ruben said he would just do the adult one.
“He did it in 45 minutes. It was a bit of a surprise! He didn’t even have any real running shoes and just did it in his Vans.”
During the summer holidays Ruben and his dad took on the Margate to Reculver ride while Lego loving Rufus opted to stay home with his mum and sister.
Hannah said: “We didn’t say how far it was to him and thought I might have to go and pick them up. But we had breakfast on the beach and then they set off at 6.30am and, with a few stops, Ruben cycled the 17k on his Monster Truck bike. He just kept going!”
Cliftonville Primary pupils Ruben and Rufus celebrated their fifth birthday this week.
Hannah said: “Ruben is very strong-willed and determined. He loves a challenge and to make a point when someone says he is too young or too little, then he is going to do it anyway.
“Rufus is more brain focused, he loves maths and he loves making stuff out of Lego. He doesn’t follow a book, we have a massive box of loose Lego and he creates things with them.
“They both got Lego for 8 years plus for their birthday and they do that by themselves.
“They are polar opposites, they’re both so different but they are the best of friends.”
