Penybont twins James and Dan run Rob Burrow Marathon
TWIN brothers from Powys completed the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in searing heat last weekend – with the duo raising close to £5,000 for the hospice which cared for their father in his final days.
James and Dan Powell, 23, completed the marathon on Sunday, May 11, with the funds raised going to St Michael's Hospice, in Hereford.
The Penybont twins previously praised the hospice and its staff for their 'faultless' care provided to Gary in his final weeks.
Gary died on February 21, 2023, after bravely battling against motor neurone disease (MND), the same illness which Leeds Rhinos rugby league icon Rob died of. This year's marathon was the first one held since Rob's death, aged 41, in June last year.
'We got it done,' said James, in a post on Facebook.
'Today, as many of you are aware, me and Dan went to run the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in memory of our dad, to raise money for St Michael's Hospice, a charity very close to our family's hearts.
'We managed to cross the line in the soaring heat in Leeds and I for one couldn't be prouder of myself and Dan for getting this done.
'We cannot thank you all enough for all the encouragement over the last few months, whether through donations, messages, or simple toots of the horn when you saw us running the roads in training.
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'And, of course, a huge thank you to our amazing team of supporters who came up with us. It was so tough, but the feeling at the end was so worth it.
'The community we have is amazing, the family and friends we have are amazing, and Dan you're amazing and I'm so proud of you.'
Dan crossed the line in 4 hours 43 minutes, with James coming home in 4 hours 46 minutes.
Mum Monica said: 'Well, what can I say.... we are all extremely proud of James and Dan and what they achieved today; it was tough, but they got there.
'They have done us (as a) family and, more importantly, their dad proud. Can I just say the support and generosity from everyone has been amazing. Thank you so much.'
The brothers previously described their dad as their hero, and said they were similarly inspired by the fight he showed during his battle with MND, while James said raising money for St Michael's was a 'no brainer'.
'Not only were they amazing with dad but grandparents of ours in the past too,' he said.
'They made things that bit more bearable during a time that, as a family, was as difficult as they get.
'Up until the very last day they treated him like a king and did all they could to keep him comfortable and smiling.'
Dan added: 'It's inspiring what they deal with on a daily basis, and the fact that they can face the toughest of situations and still deliver faultless care with a smile on their faces is nothing short of remarkable in my eyes.'
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