IT is tough enough doing a half marathon but Grimethorpe dad Ryan Hinchliffe has taken it a step further - by adding 20kg of extra weight to the challenge.
Ryan and friends Lee Hatfield, Dan Staves, Sean Burke, Ashley Greenwood, Nathan Cox, Sam Parkin, Sammy Williams and Ian Fearnley will all be doing the Sheffield Half Marathon on March 26, with Ryan wearing a weighted vest.
Ryan’s son Freddie was born two months prematurely on August 18 last year, and now wants to give something back in appreciation of the care that partner Hayley and Freddie received.
Ryan said: “The staff in the neonatal department went above and beyond while we were there for a month.
“They made our time there a lot easier, particularly having our older son Olly, who is seven, and juggling time between hospital and home.
“Nothing can prepare you for something like this mentally.
“At times it was exhausting seeing your son in an incubator with tubes but the staff at the neonatal unit were unbelievable and made this experience a lot easier for me and my family.
“I can’t thank them enough and I am going to do this challenge as a thank you to them and raise a bit of money along the way.
“I know how tough this run is as I have run it before, but with 20kg of weight it’s going to be horrendous.”
To support the fundraiser, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/ryanthelion1.
