The mother of a teenager who died suddenly of a heart condition has praised the 62 runners who completed the Potters ‘Arf marathon in his memory.
Angela Butler said the school friends, cricket pals and family who completed the gruelling 13-mile race in soaring temperatures on Sunday had don Nathan proud.
The family has thrown its weight behind a campaign to raise awareness about Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) since the 16-year-old’s death in February.
And Nathan’s dad Philip, a builder, also hopes to build a memorial spectator stand at Porthill Park Cricket Club – which was Nathan’s second home – in his memory.
The couple hope the efforts of the runners means they are on target to raise £5,000 which will be split between the two causes.
Among the runners determined to complete the course was Nathan’s close friends Justin Mould, who was the first home in a time of one hour 40 minutes – securing a silver medal given to finishers who completed the course in less than one hour 45 minutes.
The 19-year-old part-time cricket coach, of Meigh Road, Werrington said: “I’d played cricket with Nathan for four or five years.
“We used to play two or three times a week in the under-18s team and in the week we used to go out together to the cricket club and practice together, have a drink together and stay at each others’ houses.
“I suppose training for this run has just been a way of taking out my anger at Nathan’s death in a way.
“All the way round the course, when I was tired and I thought ‘why am I doing this?’ I’d think ‘I’m doing it for Nathan and I’d keep going.
“It was really tough. I started with two friends from the cricket club but then when we go towards Longton they started struggling in the heat and I left them.
“I definitely think Nathan would have been proud.
“I even had to play cricket afterwards against Sport Asia. We drew in the end but I nearly won the match.
“I scored 83 runs. My legs are still aching.”
Justin – who raised over £300 – joined Nathan’s school friends from St John Fisher High School, members of Porthill Park Cricket Club, family and friends, including former Newcastle Town Football Club players where Mr Butler used to play.
Mr Butler, aged 45, also completed the 13-mile trek in two and a half hours but had to walk after he was recently diagnosed with the same heart condition as Nathan.
Mrs Butler, aged 47, said: “He was devastated he couldn’t run it but he walked it with two friends and he still did it as fast as some people would have run it.”
Mrs Butler, who led the cheering and support for the runners added: “The radio said we were the noisiest crowd at the finish line.
“We could see our runners in the fluorescent tops and we were going mad as everyone came up to the finishing line.
“It was lovely to be there and to see everyone doing it but at the end of the day it shouldn’t have to happen and we shouldn’t have had to do it.
“But if the money we raise can go to CRY they can perhaps help prevent this happening to someone else.
“CRY are campaigning for cardiac screening or MOT’s for children who do sport from the age of 11.”
“I’m sure Nathan would have been proud.”
