Bassetlaw brothers in marathon effort to come home

Kieran, Paddy and Brendan Lenehan grew up in Retford and returned to their hometown to run the Retford Half Marathon on March 12. The three brothers were also joined by five of their friends - Will Brookman, Teddy Kealey, Sorcha Floyd, Charlie Williams and Laurence Burkett.

The group managed to collect £987.50 in sponsorship which they are donating to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Kieran, aged 23, now lives in Manchester and is preparing to run the Rotterdam Marathon on April 9 with Will and Teddy.

He said: “My brothers and I are Retford through and through and my friends from university have heard plenty of stories about our hometown. My brothers were happy to come home to do their bit and Will, Teddy, Sorcha and Charlie wanted an excuse to visit the town, help raise money for a good cause and get fitter in the process.

“We chose to support Bluebell Wood because it makes a real difference to children’s lives.”

Training played an important part in getting the team ready for the race.

The group’s fitness levels varied but all eight runners threw themselves into preparing for the event.

Kieran Lenehan said: “We’re a mixed bag. Brendan and I have done the London Marathon and then we have a sliding scale of experience, ending with Paddy who probably last ran in Year 9 PE.

“Training can be the most time-consuming, irritating thing in the world but you have to do it. Fitting training into our busy lives was difficult but at the end of the race it was worth it.”

To sponsor the team, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/legbobslegsbob