A GROUP of family and friends are preparing to run more than 13 miles in memory of an inspirational teenager.

The runners will be taking to the streets of Cardiff for the city’s half marathon on Sunday, October 16,  to honour Craig Owen, 16 of Brymbo, who died on holiday in August 2008 when a sand tunnel collapsed on him at Cefn Sidan Sands in Pembrey, South Wales.

Team Craig will be made up of six enthusiastic family members and friends: Curtis Wynne, Andrew Wynne, John Darlington, Peter Davies, Aaron Williams and Matthew Yarwood.

Curtis, who was Craig’s best friend, said: “Craig was very popular. He had just sat his GCSEs at Ysgol Bryn Alyn and was due to pick up his results three weeks after the tragedy happened.

“His results were outstanding: five A*s and five As.”

As well as being gifted academically, Craig was an outstanding all-rounder who was highly popular.

Curtis said: “His passion for rugby was very strong. He supported Wales and played for Bryn Alyn.

“Craig had a brilliant sense of humour, always had a laugh and would make you laugh. He never stopped smiling and that was his trademark, his smile.”

Curtis said that Craig’s family and friends had held a number of previous fundraising events for the air ambulance, which had been very generously supported.

“We have chosen to run in the Cardiff Half Marathon because as Craig was Welsh and proud. Where better to run than in the capital of Wales?” said Curtis

“We would be grateful if people would donate to help us raise as much money as possible for the Welsh Air Ambulance to help them save lives.

“Every donation counts so please help us raise this money for a great charity and for an amazing lad.”

If anyone would like to make a donation to the half marathon fundraiser they can log on to the Just Giving website at http://www.justgiving.com/Curtis-Wynne11