Andrew’s challenge for his late brother

Andrew Hutchinson’s challenge was two fold - to raise money for charity and to remember his late brother Jonathan and father-in-law Alan Robinson.

Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke and Marie Curie benefited from Andrew’s challenge.

“A few months before my brother Jonathan died we were talking about running and I said I would like to do a marathon. At this point Jonathan, who was only 29, joked that I could never do it. It’s Jonathan’s ten year anniversary this year, so I thought I would give the marathon a go.”

So on July 13, Andrew, who is more used to pulling on rugby boots than trainers, set out from his home in Castlerock.

His route took him to Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart and back to Castlerock again, a distance of 26.2 miles.

“My sister Katie organised the whole thing, she put out mile markers the night before and arranged for a few of my pals to join me along the route.

“As someone who has never done any running before, I followed my training programme and the first 18 miles were grand, the last eight were tough, but I am so glad that I did it.”

Andrew’s ten year old son Ben joined him for the challenge on his bike alongside pals Jason Maguire and David Boorman. Andrew thanked friends and experienced runners Alan Irwin and Philip Tweedy for their support along the route.

Andrew also had a special thank you for his wife Louise and his sister Katie.