The three decided to take part in the competition after their friend, Guy Evans, died in 2008, aged 17.

Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS),  is thought  to kill around 12 apparently fit and healthy young people every week in the UK. The charity, CRY, supports bereaved families, researches into SADS and promotes heart screening for young people.

The GRIM was due to take place at the beginning of December but had to be postponed because of the snow. The annual event attracts thousands of runners from around the UK willing to push themselves to the limit.  

Sam, an apprentice at Didcot Power Station, said all three were delighted with their official times for completing the race, which were around one and a half hours each.

“We began training several months ago, running around Didcot and the local villages after work and building up stamina at the gym,” he said. “It’s taken quite a bit of time to get our fitness back up to scratch since Christmas but it’s been worth the slog.”

The GRIM  is the first of a number of fundraising events Guy’s friends are planning to take part in or organise over the next 12 months with the specific aim of raising enough money to pay for heart screening for local teenagers.  They’ve formed a GUYfest Committee to raise awareness of sudden heart arrhythmia and are setting up a local charity, HeartBeats, to promote heart screening and the teaching of basic first aid in Oxfordshire schools.

“No-one knew that Guy had a heart condition that could kill him so suddenly,” said Aiden. “We owe it to him to do what we can to make sure other young people can find out if they’re at risk and do something about it.”