An amateur runner has completed his first marathon and raised thousands to help find a cure for brain tumours in memory of his friend who died from the disease.
Harry Carling (pictured top left, with his cousin) completed the Cork Marathon in a time of 4:34 on Sunday 2nd June. It was the first time 26-year-old Harry has laced up to take on a 26.2-mile distance, having only taken up running last year. He said: “The marathon took me out of my comfort zone, however the atmosphere on the day was brilliant. I really enjoyed the training and have a few other runs lined up already.”
Harry’s impressive efforts raised more than £4,000 for Brain Tumour Research in memory of his friend Sam Browne, who died when he was just 28.
Sam (pictured below with Harry) was diagnosed with an inoperable grade 2 astrocytoma after suffering a seizure in March 2019. He underwent a biopsy followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy but, in July 2023, he learned his tumour had developed to a grade 4. He died less than two months later.
Harry added: “I knew I wanted to challenge myself to run a marathon in Sam’s memory and Sam’s family wanted to raise awareness of the disease which brought me to focus fundraising on Brain Tumour Research. His mum even flew out to Cork to the finish line of the marathon. It was an emotional reunion and I’m pleased to have been able to carry on Sam’s legacy.”
You can still support Harry’s fundraising by donating via his JustGiving page.
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