Newark runner’s £10,000 and 1000-mile charity quest for Brain Tumour Research continues despite cardiac fears
A man who dedicated this year to running 1,000 miles has been forced to take a fortnight break from his mission to undergo cardiology tests and rest.
Sean Connolly, 35, who grew up in Newark, is taking part in a charity running challenge to raise money for Brain Tumour Research after losing a good friend, Alan Mills, to a brain tumour in July 2016.
But with 240 miles to go, the fitness enthusiast has had to take a two week break, after feeling breathless while running.
Sean, a former student at Magnus Church of England School, said his health concerns started while running the Berlin Marathon in September.
“I started to feel tightness in my chest and shortness of breath and I kept getting a stitch if I drank anything at all. It felt like someone jabbing me in the side," Sean said.
"The further I ran, the more I felt short of breath and so I had to walk quite a lot to be able to reach the finish.”
After returning to his home in Rothwell, Sean said he continued to take part in short runs, but three weeks ago, when the same symptoms returned, he returned to A&E.
He said he underwent countless tests in a five hour stay in Kettering General to rule out a range of conditions.
“I eat healthily, don’t smoke, or even drink much," he said.
"I would have understood it better if these symptoms had flared up three or four years ago, before I took up running.
“Fortunately, the doctors at A&E gave me the green flag to run the Birmingham half marathon the next day.
"I had promised to run with my cousin Rebecca Pritchard (from Newark).
"I took it nice and steady and it was fine, but I then decided to take a couple of weeks off running and only last week started to do short runs again — I’ve still got around 240 miles to run this year.
“I am waiting for a cardiology appointment in December to try and find out exactly what’s going on, but I am determined to continue my quest to complete the magic 1,000 miles, hopefully on December 29 at the Rothwell Festive 10k, alongside many of the runners who have been keeping me company throughout the year.
"It would be an added bonus if I also hit my fundraising target of £10,000 for Brain Tumour Research by the end of the year.”
To help realise his dream, Sean is holding another charity casino night on November 30 in Rothwell
Paula Rastrick, community fundraising manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “Sean has been tremendously dedicated.
"I hope that with a couple of weeks off, he will be back to his best and will complete this amazing endeavour on the 29th.
"What an achievement that would be, 1,000 miles and £10,000.
"Good luck Sean, but remember to look after yourself too.
“Alan’s story reminds us that brain tumours are indiscriminate, they can affect anyone at any age.
"Together, with the help of all our supporters, we will find a cure.”
Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK.
It also campaigns for the Government and the larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure.
The charity is calling for an annual spend of £35m in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia and is also campaigning for greater repurposing of drugs.
To donate in support of Sean’s year of running go to, www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sean-connolly2019 or call Sean on 07837 386645.
