Chris completes 52 half-marathons in 52 weeks

Photo: David Hurst
Chris O'Brien is cheered over the line as he completes his 52nd half-marathon in one year at Towneley Park, Burnley. He has run them in aid of Dreams Come True. — Photo: David Hurst Chris O'Brien is cheered over the line as he completes his 52nd half-marathon in one year at Towneley Park, Burnley. He has run them in aid of Dreams Come True.

A police officer from Padiham is celebrating completing 52 half-marathons in as many weeks for a mammoth charity challenge which saw him overcome a skateboarding injury and pull a man to safety from the canal.

Chris O’Brien (48), of Grove Lane, crossed the finish line at Towneley Park where he was greeted by proud family and friends. He has raised more than £2,500 for Dreams Come True, a charity which supports terminally and seriously ill children and their families and makes memories for them to keep.

“It was a little bit emotional really when I got to the finish line and my fiancée Sarah Jane Edmondson and her kids were there supporting me. It was a big relief.”

Chris, who works in Manchester and is a member at Ighten Leigh Social Club, has taken part in marathons in London and Paris and is already planning another fund-raising challenge. He was almost forced to quit when he injured himself falling off a skateboard but managed to catch up.

“On occasion I had a running partner who did a few miles with me. We were running along the canal near Sycamore Avenue and we helped to pull an unconscious man out of the water. He was in a coma but luckily he made a full recovery.” To sponsor Chris visit www.justgiving.com/52-halfs