CHARITY fund-raiser Dave Thornhill ran a circuit of Haydock Park Racecourse on Sunday, September 2, the first day of a personal seven-day marathon around all 59 tracks in Britain.

Keen racing fan Dave, from Solihull in the West Midlands, decided on the undertaking after a close friend in the travel trade contracted breast cancer.

He admits he's no athlete, but he's committed to achieving his target for the Cancer Research Campaign.

"Before last year, I'd never even run one mile, so it's daunting but I'm determined to see it through", he said.

The run, covering some 88 miles, started at Ain tree, the home of the Grand National, and will end at Epsom, venue for The Derby.

Dave is being joined at each racecourse by friends and travel trade colleagues.

He was at Haydock, the fourth racecourse on his list, on Sunday, September 2. The circuit is a little over 1.6 miles.

He originally aimed to raise £10,000 but that figure was reached a fortnight before he started the run.

Haydock Park's general manager, Adam Waterworth said: "It's a fantastic effort by Dave and we're extremely pleased to be able to assist him in whatever way we can".