Stubbington Green Runners

DAVE King clocked up his 60th race of the year when he ran with legend Ron Hill in a special birthday race near Rochdale.

Ron, recognised as one of Britain's greatest ever runners, having competed at three Olympic Games, won the European Championship marathon title in an amazing time of 2hrs 9mins, and set many British records, celebrated his 69th birthday.

Each year, to mark Ron's anniversary, a 5km race is held in Littleborough, just outside of Rochdale in Lancashire, and the evening run attracted well over 100 runners, including Ron himself.

The race started and finished in the town, heading out into the country and by Hollingworth Lake and back into the town.
Dave finished midfield in a time of 22min 42sec, a couple of minutes ahead of Ron, who in his prime would have run under 14 minutes for the distance.

Before the race, Dave met Ron at his home outside Manchester who talked to him about his running - he has run every day since 1964, and his desire to have reached his target of running in 100 countries by the time of his 70th birthday next year.

Ron also signed a top which will be part of the raffle for this year's Stubbington Green Runners' awards dinner on November 2nd.