Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Katie-Ann Gupwell

The adorable five-year-old who ran a marathon because he never forgot the kindness of those who tried to help his little cousin

Never mind Mo Farrah - here's Henry Edwards, the little lad who has just completed up his first marathon just aged five.

Henry completed his epic challenge on Sunday - which was supposed to be the date for this year's London Marathon - as the whole street cheered him on as he crossed the finishing line.

He ran an impressive 2.6 miles every day for 10 days in memory of his three-year-old cousin who died suddenly.

Henry's mother, Katey Edwards, explained the challenge was set up to help raise some funds for the charities who would otherwise miss out as a result of the marathon being cancelled.

However, when they first came up with the fundraising idea the plan was to walk it and maybe try and run parts. But little Henry had other ideas.

"On the first one he just ran and ran and ran," added Katey, 39.

"I hadn't ran in three years - I didn't even have running trainers.

"On the first one he ran 3.2 miles because I couldn't judge the distance, and since he has ran 10 times."

Five-year-old Henry ran an entire marathon in 10 days to raise funds for 2 Wish Upon A Star (Katey Edwards)

Katey, from Miskin, Pontyclun said they chose the charity 2 Wish Upon A Star - a charity that supports bereaved families.

"2 Wish Upon a Star have given us, as a family, so much.

"As much as it's been fun and tiring we have had so much support  - that's the really overwhelming part."

"They are still going but are not receiving a lot of funds.

"We decided we would do the 2.6 challenge every day for 10 days so we would have walked 26 miles."

An initial target of £100 was set up. However, once word of Henry's steely determination got around, the total on their JustGiving page kept going up and up.

Hundreds of people turned out to watch Henry - including South Wales Police officers (Katey Edwards)
Henry has raised over £11,000 for the 2 Wish Upon A Star charity (Katey Edwards)

Katey added: "The people, and community, in Miskin has played a huge role. They have been out on their doorsteps cheering and clapping, at a safe distance, for Henry to give him that extra push.

"We thought if we could raise £100 it would be amazing.

"Now we have raised £11,000 and it's going up by the minute.

"It's been unbelievable."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.