A Merseyside man is pushing his body to the limit to raise money for a local charity.
Dr David Bosworth, of Elmcroft Lane, Hightown, has thrust himself into a gruelling schedule of running 40 miles a week to prepare for the Blackpool marathon on April 11.
And the 54-year-old, who has already worn out two pairs of running shoes, has calculated he must run 565 miles before the actual race.
He said: “The training is very hard, particularly the long runs when I am on the beach. Running on sand takes a lot more energy than on tarmac. Other runners tell me it is improving my stamina, but personally I wonder whether it is improving my chances of keeling over.
"To say I am enjoying the training given the past weather of snow and ice may be pushing my view of enjoyment too far, however there is a sense of satisfaction when I have completed a long run.
"However, I chose this event because it is a challenge and I have never done on before."
This is a new venture for David, who works at the Health and Safety Executive, Bootle. He has never tried anything like this before and his wife, Sue, thinks he is having a mid-life crisis!
David said: “ I've tried a sports car and now she thinks I want to disprove the fact that I'm getting older although my body is letting me know, in no uncertain way, that I am not in the first flush of youth!
"I am trying to follow a training regime that increases the agony each week!"
His programme includes various lengths of runs up to and including a couple of 20 mile runs. On long training exercises he either runs through Formby to Ainsdale and back along the Beach or past Woodvale pick up the Transpennine way to Maghull and back to Hightown via Thornton.
David is chairman of the Mayor of Sefton’s Charity Fund (Formby and Hightown branch) and all money raised will go into their coffers to be used for groups and individuals in need in Formby and Hightown.
This year the branch has already donated £250 to St Luke’s Youth Club, Formby, and £160 to Hightown Playground, and will soon be seeking applications from any deserving groups and individuals who need funds.
Anyone wishing to sponsor David can contact him directly by e-mail on davidabosworth@hotmail.com, or on his mobile 0776 436 9205.
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