A WARRINGTON man who admits to being a “terrible map reader” is taking an easy route for an ultra marathon.
Kieran Walshe, 46, of Lymm is tackling the 145-mile Grand Union Canal Race (from Birmingham to London), the longest non-stop run in the UK, to raise funds for Claire House Hospice.
Despite being a seasoned ultra-marathon runner this is the longest race Kieran, vice captain of the Lymm Runners running club, has ever attempted.
He said: “I have done quite a few ultra-marathons before but the longest was the 95 mile West Highland Way last year, so this is definitely going to be harder. I am terrible at map reading, so it will help that I just have to follow the canal for 145 miles until I get to Paddington!”
He will start at 6am on Saturday May 28 and is hoping to finish about 5pm the next day.
Father-of-four Kieran has been training for the race by completing runs of up to 100 miles, and taking part in races including the Helsby Half Marathon, the High Legh 10k, and the Wye Valley 50 Mile Ultra Marathon.
Kieran hopes to raise around £2,000 for the hospice which provides care to children with life-limiting conditions and their families in Cheshire, North Wales and Merseyside.
“It is a place of hope, love and support for children – and it needs our support to keep it running. It is also one of the adopted charities for Lymm High School which three of my children attend, and where I am involved as chairman of governors,” he said.
Anyone interested in sponsoring Kieran should visit: www.justgiving.com/Kieran-Walshe
Picture: Kieran taking part in the West Highland Way 95-mile ultra marathon
