Brothers go on the run (From Warrington Guardian)

Brothers go on the run

A MIDDLEWICH athlete is planning to do battle with his brother when they run the biggest race of their lives this April.

Gavin Tomlinson, of Wardle Mews, is busy training for the London Marathon, which he will run with his 29-year-old brother Ryan on April 23.

But although Gavin runs for Vale Royal the marathon will be a challenge for him as he is recovering from a double hernia operation he had in January.

Gavin, 25, a maths teacher at Verdin High School in Winsford, said: "I've been running all my life but I've just had an operation and I'm trying to get fit again through the marathon - but it'll be a tough one."

He added: "I like running because I like competing and I'm going to beat my brother by a long way if I'm fit!"

The two are running the marathon for Cancer Research and are hoping to raise at least £1,000 between them, a cause which their sibling rivalry is helping as people offer to donate more depending on which brother gets the better time.

Gavin said: "We're trying to raise as much money as we can and I've taken sponsor forms to school, so on paper I've raised £350 so far.

"But we have got a website so people can go online and sponsor us - people on there are saying they'll pay Ryan more if he beats me."

Gavin is also one of three athletes running the marathon for Vale Royal. To sponsor the brothers, visit www.justgiving.com/GavandRyan.