Teens run more than 18 miles for heart project

Jason Arunn MurugesuNorth East and Cumbria
News imageSupplied Oliver and Theo standing in front of a sign that says "Carlisle, Drive Carefully". There is a grey car in the background driving on the road. The pair are standing to the side of the road on grass. They are both wearing dark blue tops with a circle symbol on them and a red heart inside. They both have dark brown hair.Supplied
Oliver and Theo were powered by donuts for the run

Three teenagers have raised more than £1,000 for a heart initiative after running more than 18 miles between Penrith and Carlisle Castle.

The plan came about after a discussion during class, said one of the runners Jacob from Penrith, and raised money for local community interest group Hearts United which delivers free CPR awareness sessions.

"We just said 'how far do you think you could run'," he said.

Jacob, 15, ran the distance of a marathon between the two points, whereas his friends Oliver and Theo, who had done little training before, ran 18.6 miles (30km).

News imageSupplied Theo, Oliver and Jacob standing outside Carlisle Castle with their arms around each other. It is a grey day and there are standing on green grass. They are all wearing black shorts and dark blue tops with a circle symbol on them with a red heart inside. They all have dark brown hair. Jacob is wearing sunglasses.Supplied
Theo, Oliver and Jacob came up with the idea for the run during class

Jacob said his friends, both 16, had been powered by donuts.

"Not the smartest decision but I'm pretty sure it fuelled them," he said.

"[I think the cause] is important because, as a person who does sport myself, no matter how fit you are anything can happen."

Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.


More from the BBC