Running for life

Peter crossing the bay

I love his philosophy, which is that you're never too old to run. He explained that he used to play a lot of other sports, racquet sports and contact sports. "You get to a certain age and it's not advisable to continue with those sports but you can run forever!"

Peter's enjoyment of this event shone through during the conversation. He chuckled as he described wading 50 yards through the Kent estuary and recalled how two years ago the runners were turned back before half way because of adverse weather. That year they ran 11 miles instead of 13 but in this race a difference of 2 miles is neither here nor there. Three years ago there was a false start when a plane came into land on Cark airfield just as the race had started. The runners duly returned to the start line and waited for the plane to land!

I asked him how he trains for the event and the other half marathons that he takes part in, "I do four or five steady runs a week of between five and ten miles with the occasional fifteen mile run to keep in touch with the distance. I also do lots of hill running." It is clear that Peter is one tough cookie although he does confess to being a bit of a fair weather runner at times, " I haven't been out yet today as it is raining so I'll wait until it brightens up this afternoon. I tend to train as and when the weather suits me!"

So what is his inspiration for this event that, by his own admission, is a hard slog over wet sand. "It's a great feeling to be out there in the middle of the bay, knowing that in four hours time that place that I'm crossing will be covered in 20 foot of water." Peter also feels close to the official charity, CancerCare as he lost a younger brother to cancer.

There are still places available for the race this Sunday so why not live life to the full and give it a go.

Incidentally this race will take you across the River Kent at the mouth of the estuary. The source of this river is Kentmere. If you fancy making a weekend of it why not take a look at the Puma Kentmere Trail Race on Saturday which starts in Staveley? Although the race is now full CancerCare still have places left. Contact the CancerCare Team