Huddersfield’s distance runners didn’t have far to go to tackle a new challenge.

Town yesterday hosted a marathon after a hiatus of more than two decades.

The event, just two weeks after the London Marathon, saw athletes and fundraisers take on the hilly roads of the Colne Valley.

The 26 mile course consisted of two laps from the YMCA at Laund Hill up to Scammonden via Outlane and then back to town via Golcar.

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One of those to tackle the testing course was Great Britain rugby league legend, Keith Senior, who grew up in Huddersfield.

The former Leeds Rhinos player was running his fourth marathon in four weeks in aid of Huddersfield charity, The Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust.

Keith, who is a member of Pole Moor riding club, completed the Manchester Marathon on April 6, the London Marathon on April 13 and Northampton Marathon a week later.

Finishing the Huddersfield marathon in 4 hours 57 minutes, Keith revealed going down the hills had actually been tougher than going up them.

Speaking afterwards, he said: “It was a good course, very difficult, but I’m really pleased with the time I’ve got.

“I had a bad spell at the Northampton marathon where I really struggled, so I’m glad to finish.

“There were quite a few rugby fans out giving me support and my family and friends are from Huddersfield.

“It was good to chat to people from my schooldays and run around areas I used to live in growing up.

“I didn’t find the hills too bad, it was going down that affected me more because of injuries from playing rugby all those years.

“This was the first time I’ve ever run marathons.

“It was a good challenge doing four marathons but I won’t be rushing out to sign up for another!”

Keith’s efforts have raised about £1,000 for the Laura Crane Trust.

He added: “It’s as much about awareness of the charity as the money.

“I got interviewed on TV at the London Marathon and that will be great for the profile as it’s just a small charity from Huddersfield.”

Helen Mervill, fundraising manger at Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust, said: “Keith’s been fantastic for us.

“He’s obviously a fit man as he’s been a top sportsman, but running four marathons in four weeks is very different from playing rugby.

“He’s really challenged himself, what he’s done has been astonishing.”

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