Ramsgreave runner to come out of retirement for charity 10k race (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Ramsgreave runner to come out of retirement for charity 10k race

2:23pm Thursday 25th February 2010 in

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A 66-year-old runner is hoping to roll back the years after signing up to run the Pennine Lancashire 10K.

Chris Fay, who gave up running two years ago because of a back injury, is hoping to complete the circuit to show you're never too old to take part in such an event.

Chris, who has been running for more than 50 years, represented Britain in the 1960s at six-miles and once beat Olympian Ron Hill in a 10k race.

He also holds Blackburn Harriers six-mile record at 28 minutes and 30 seconds, a record that has stood since 1966.

But he admits that having come out of retirement, and with his back injury gone, he has a lot of work to do to even complete the race.

He said his main obstacle is that despite having a previous run-ning weight of nine and a half stone he now weighs 13 stone.

Chris, who lives in Ramsgreave, said: “I've signed up for the race because I wanted to prove that anyone can do it.

“I'm overweight and haven't run for a long time.

“But I am determimined and I just want to give it my best.”

So far Chris's training has been limited to walks and exercise bikes but he said he hopes to progress to running shortly before stepping it up to around five runs a week in the build up to the event — provided he stays injury-free.

The fundraising run, which takes place on July 11, was launched in January by former Olympic athlete Steve Cram.

It has been organised by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All charity and will raise cash for local charities including East Lancashire, Rossendale and Pendleside Hospices.

The event starts and finishes at Witton Park in Blackburn, through the town centre and over the new Wainwright Bridge.

It is hoped that more than £250,000 can be raised in the race.

And the 10k run is open to people of all abilities.

There are 5,000 places available and hundreds have already been snapped up.