
Four well-known figures from Bridlington’s sporting community are preparing to take on one of the world’s most iconic endurance events.
Zac Stabler, Lee Harper, Paul Dean and Andy Potts will be running the 2026 TCS London Marathon on April 26 to raise money for Bridlington Club for Young People.
The four will all represent the charity when they tackle the famous 26.2-mile course through the streets of the capital, raising funds to support the club’s work with young people across the town.
Each runner has strong ties to local sport and long-standing links with the CYP, which has become a hub for sport and youth activities in Bridlington.
Stabler first walked through the doors of the club as a nine-year-old boxer, going on to enjoy a successful amateur career that included national titles, a GB silver medal and several appearances representing England.
Since finishing his boxing career, he has continued to give back through coaching and committee work, and now serves as a trustee of the club.
Footballer Harper’s playing career began with Bridlington Spartans as a junior at the CYP site in the 1980s. He went on to play for Scarborough and Harrogate Town before returning to Bridlington Town, where he played for seven years.
He later spent more than five years running a Brid Rangers team and now helps oversee the football pathway between Bridlington CYP and Bridlington Town.
Dean has also spent much of his life involved in sport. Starting his football journey with Rangers U9s, he now plays for Bridlington Veterans.
Alongside football, Dean has a strong passion for boxing, having competed for many years and reaching a good standard.
Away from the ring and pitch, he regularly takes on endurance challenges, including ultramarathons and mountain hikes, having previously competed in the gruelling SAS Fan Dance.
Completing the quartet is Potts, who has been part of the club for an incredible 46 years.
He joined alongside fellow club stalwart Dean Hoggard as an eight-year-old, and the pair remain involved today.
Over the decades, Potts has served the club in numerous roles, including boxer, boxing coach, football coach, committee member, chairman and trustee.
He began coaching boxing at just 18 years old and has helped develop many talented boxers from the town and surrounding region, while also spending more than 20 years coaching football.
Potts said: “I believe in community, and over the years I’ve watched people walk through the doors and leave stronger, happier and more confident through the support of the club. Being part of that has shaped who I am and given me lifelong friendships.”
CYP chairman Ben Lawry praised the runners for stepping forward to support the club and said: “What’s special about these four is that they each represent different parts of the club’s history and community.
“Between them they’ve given decades of service to sport in Bridlington and to the CYP.
“Taking on the London Marathon is a huge challenge, and we’re incredibly grateful that they’re doing it to help support the work we do for young people in the town.”
Donations can be made through the runners’ individual fundraising pages, with more information available on the Bridlington CYP social media pages.
