Liverpool and Manchester United fans (aged 8) leave rivalry behind to run charity marathon

Presley McConville from Tandragee and his mate Frankie McIvor from Portadown have just completed a marathon in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.

Frankie, who is a Manchester United fan, and Presley, who is a Liverpoool fan, put their football rivalries aside why they took on the challenge of running a whole marathon in a month.

Presley’s dad Gavin, who has been running with them in a bid to keep fit, is very proud of the boys.

“They completed far more than the required 26.2 miles,” revealed Gavin. “That was a massive achievement for boys of their age and size. For their wee legs to run four and five miles non stop, that’s a great achievement.”

Presley, who is in Year 4 at Tandragee Primary School and Frankie, who is in Year 4 at Bocombra Primary School have become firm friends since joining Soccer Indoors.

Although it has been tough during the three Lockdowns over the past year, the pair have been keen to keep themselves fit.

Gavin explained that when they spotted the challenge of running a marathon in a month and raise money for Prostate Cancer, the boys were on board from the start.

Gavin said: “They were training four or five times a week.

“I was diagnosed with diabetes and their enthusiasm certainly motivated me to get out and run as well.” He said Frankie’s mum Carol also took part as she runs regularly.

Gavin said they would also run with Presley’s mum Claire Cardwell: “It was a really family affair and it has certainly kept us fit,” said Gavin, who was very pleased with the charity choice as cancer has also affected his own family.

In total the boys raised a whopping £1,358 for charity.