A marathon effort

Two autistic students from Doncaster Deaf College are set to take part in this month’s Sheffield Half Marathon alongside their Retford tutor.

Ben Greaves, 18, and Andrew Batty, 20, are running the 13.1 mile course with 56-year-old pathways tutor Dave Clark to raise money for items for the college’s new common room.

Dave, from Retford, said: “I have done several half marathons before but this will be the first for both Ben and Andrew. We have been training together bright and early twice a week in preparation and we are feeling pretty confident for the big event now.

“We will be asking all the students what they would like in the common room, but as well as new equipment for the college the half marathon will provide Ben and Andrew with a great confidence and self-esteem boost.”

The 2012 SIG Insulations Sheffield Half Marathon will take place on Sunday 27th May at the new start time of 9am and see both charity supporters and elite athletes run from Don Valley Stadium to Sheffield city centre and Ecclesall Road before returning to the start point.

The event’s record time is just over one hour and four minutes, but for Ben and Andrew, the experience will be more important than the results.

Dave said: “Running with more than 5,000 other competitors will have a positive effect on the lads and it is a fantastic achievement for them to have on their CV. Having people along the route cheering them on and being a part of something so huge will make a big difference.”

For more information about the SIG Insulations Sheffield Half Marathon visit www.sheffieldmarathon.com.