Brian runs in memory of brother

WHEN insurance executive Brian New takes part in the UK’s longest non-stop running race this Bank Holiday weekend it will have a special meaning for him.
He has done the 145-mile Grand Union Canal Race twice before but this time will be doing it in memory of his younger brother, Howard, who was tragically killed in a car crash last September.
It was in 2007 that Brian last took part in the Grand Union Canal Race and, with 25 miles to go, he went over on his ankle.
It seemed his race was over but Howard was there to support him and ended up running the last 23 miles with him to get him to the finishing line.
Brian, from Great Sankey, said when his brother died it felt as if the world had caved in.
He said: “I spent a long time feeling bitter and wondering ‘Why?’ and then I decided to try to turn a tragedy into something positive.
“As a mark of love for H I have decided to run the race again in his memory.
“This may not be as straight forward as it sounds as I had an operation on both my knees in March last year.
“This race is the first of a number between now and September – in August I am taking part in the Triple Ironman UK (I came 6th in the inaugural Double Ironman UK in 2008), and I am also hoping to get a place in the Eurostar Tri-City-Athlon which is being held in September.
“All this is being done to raise funds for a local charity – St Joseph’s Family Centre, which receives no direct funding.
“We have already raised £2,000 Howard’s memory for Nordoff Robbins, a musical therapy charity – Howard was a singer/songwriter”.