A RUNNING enthusiast is pushing himself through the pain barrier to raise money for a children’s hospice.
Self-employed company director, Eric Davies, 55, of Godre’r Coed, Gwernymynydd, is tackling the Excalibur Marathon on Saturday, March 23 and is raising funds for Claire House Children’s Hospice, Wirral.
Eric says he has been putting in some serious training to prepare for the race.
He said: “The 26.2 mile course will take competitors up, down and around Moel Famau, Moel Arthur, Penycloddiau and Aber Wheeler. Any marathon is tough but this one is particularly hard.
“By the time we reach the top of Moel Famau we will have run, or walked in some cases, more than 24 miles and climbed about 5,500ft. I can’t wait for the downhill bit to the finish.”
Eric, a former librarian, will be tackling his 10th marathon and says he has been running about 25 miles a week in preparation for the event.
He said: “I run about seven or eight miles a couple of times a week and I am just starting to think about 18 or 19 mile runs as the race gets closer.
“I have competed in the International Snowdon Race which climbs to about 7,000ft but this is still a tough one.
“I’m hoping for decent weather on the day, not too windy and dry if possible. I’m hoping to raise about £300 and would be delighted if anyone would be kind enough to sponsor me.”
Anybody want to sponsor Eric should go to the website www.justgiving. com/EBD