Blackpool man takes on ultra marathon '˜The Wall'

A Blackpool man is set for an endurance marathon in aid of charity, which will see him run 69 miles in only 24 hours.
James Dyson will be running 67 miles in 24 hours.James Dyson will be running 67 miles in 24 hours.
James Dyson will be running 67 miles in 24 hours.

James Dyson, 38, from South Shore, will be competing in ‘The Wall’ – a marathon which starts at Carlisle Castle in Cumbria and follows the historic route along Hadrian’s Wall before finishing at the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle.

The ‘ultra-marathon’ event, that takes place each year, is being held this Saturday.

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James, a civil servant who works for the Department for Work and Pensions, says he is ready to take part in the challenge after an intense training regime.

He said: “I have been training for the last six months and I have been running about 40 miles a week so it has been very intense.

“The last marathon I competed in was about six years ago so it was good to get back into training as well.”

He also says that experts recommend not to run more than 30 miles in training.

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Father-of-one James is running in aid of the Children with Cancer UK charity, which funds research, raises awareness and provides help for children and families fighting against cancer.

He wanted to originally raise £700 for the charity but he has surpassed that figure already and wants to raise over double the amount.

James said: “I have raised about £1,200 so far but my aim is now about £1,500.

“The charity is the biggest cancer charity for children and it is all for a great cause.”

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The 69-mile route will include a series of road, trail and hill sections and James must carry all of his kit throughout the run.

He says the only thing that he does not have to carry is food, which is provided at aid stations along the route.

About ‘The Wall’

‘The Wall’ is an endurance marathon where participants have 24 hours to run or trek the 69 miles along Hadrian’s Wall from Carlisle Castle to the Tyne bridge in Newcastle.

It takes place each year, this year being the seventh event, and is organised by Rat Race which provides endurance events throughout the UK.

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Runners can either go solo and run the 69 miles in full, which James is doing, or they can be part of a relay team of two or four people to split up the route if the full distance is too much.

If you wish to donate to James’ Children with Cancer UK charity fund, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JamesDyson4 to find out more.