AN EDEN man is set to get his running shoes on this weekend as he plans on spending his 50th year running 1,000 miles for charity.
Little Strickland-based Neil Johnson will begin his year-long campaign at a Penrith parkrun event on Saturday, May 21, where he hopes to raise £4,000 for Kidney Research UK, the Great North Air Ambulance, Mind and Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide).
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When asked why he decided to take up the challenge, Neil said: “You don’t have a 50th birthday very often so we thought we could do something to mark that. I wanted to try something that wasn’t just about me but to fundraise for some great causes.
“Last summer I encouraged the kids to sign up to ‘Couch to 5K’ after spending all those months in lockdown. The lives that were imposed on us, I just felt it was the right thing to do to get us all back outside and get some exercise.
“After completing it I thought, ‘well what can I do with this now?’, so I decided to continue with the running. A thousand felt like a round figure, whether I can do it or not, I don’t honestly know, but I’ll give it everything I can.”
Neil continued by speaking about how preparations have been. He said: “I’m taking it one run at a time. I probably run eight to ten miles a week just now, so I’ll need to start doubling that.
“I’ve been lucky enough to secure a place in this year’s Great North Run so I’ll need to start getting some distance running in there, but I’ll take it one run at a time, taking every opportunity I can to get out there and clock a few more miles.”
Ending on how he would appreciate as much support as possible, Neil shared: “I have family members and friends who are runners and have said they will tag along and show me some of their favourite runs. It is all about raising awareness and if anyone would like to invite me to one of their runs or come along then I would like that.”
To donate and to view Neil’s progress, visit his ‘Neil Runs 1000 Miles’ website.
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