Paralympians inspire former tennis star on marathon run

The O’Briens, from Hessle, East Yorkshire, are competing in the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday, April 21, to raise money for WheelPower, the national charity for wheelchair sport, after being inspired by the exploits of Britain’s disabled athletes at last year’s Paralympics.

Miss O’Brien had helped coach the GB wheelchair tennis team and watched many events with her brother and sister.

“What some of the disabled people managed to achieve was remarkable,” said James, 29, now a Leeds-based doctor.

But although Katie can draw on her experience as a successful tennis professional, Holly and James are no mean players either and as all are attempting a marathon for the first time it is difficult to predict which of the trio will cross the finish line first.

“I think it will be competitive,” said James. “We may well set off together and if we get anything under four hours it will be a good time.”

But he fears the girls, and particularly Katie, may have the edge on their preparation after they were able to train together in London.

“I’m very much if I get a bit of time off...” he said. “But because Katie is used to a strict regime she’s had an absolute schedule. The other day it was snowing and she couldn’t go out so she did 22 miles on the treadmill.”

They are all, however, finding the training tough and the prospect of running 26.2 miles daunting.

London-based lawyer Holly, 32, said: “I’ll not lie; training has been much harder than I anticipated, not helped by the arctic winter-spring conditions.

“However, despite a few niggles, I have racked up nearly 350 miles on both the treadmill and around the streets and parks of London in the last few months.”

In a recent post on Twitter, Katie, 26, who retired in August 2011, said: “Today’s 20 mile run was a horror! Knee was twinging throughout but completely gave out at mile 16 and had to hobble home.”

The O’Briens hope to raise £6,000. To make a donation visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/hjkobrien.