A MAN has run a 10-mile route in memory of his best friend who passed away after being diagnosed with several brain tumours.

Dan Walker, 33, from Witney ran the Simplyhealth Great South Run last weekend in an attempt to raise money to help find a cure for the disease.

He ran the race, which starts and finishes in Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, for the Darel Bryan Foundation which raises funds for the charity Brain Tumour Research.

Mr Walker's best friend Darel Bryan was diagnosed with several brain tumours when he was 33-years-old and sadly died just over a year after diagnosis.

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The runner, who studied at The Warriner School in Bloxham for sixth form, said: “Darel was one of the loveliest people you could ever meet.

"He and I were great buddies, both with a great love of football, and we used to regularly go out in a foursome with his partner Natalie Overs and my girlfriend at the time, who was also Natalie’s best friend.

“It was devastating for all of us when we heard that Darel had an aggressive brain tumour, that surgery wasn’t an option and he was going to undergo radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite all the treatment, nothing could stop the progression of the disease and Darel ran out of options."

Mr Walker ran in the London Marathon last year as well as the Hackney half marathon, and managed to run last weekend's race in just over an hour and a half.

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He said: "What a day. It was a fantastic run and really well set-up. I enjoyed every single mile of it, although my legs do feel a bit achy."

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK, including its centre at the University of Portsmouth. 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

Michael Thelwall, head of community fundraising for Brain Tumour Research, said: “We hope he [Mr Walker] inspires others to take on a running challenge for the charity.

“Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, on average less than 20 per cent of brain tumour patients survive five years beyond diagnosis.

"We cannot allow this devastating situation to continue.”

Mr Walker's fundraising now stands at over £400, more than double his £200 target.