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Pounding the roads towards Marathon

25/ 2/2005

Running

TWO years in the United States made runner Chris Robinson "fat and lazy" but a return to Rochdale and a chance meeting with local race organiser Andy O'Sullivan put him back on track.

The 41-year-old now plans to run the London Marathon on 17 April to confirm his comeback and raise money for a local charity.

Robinson started running in his teens and competed for Rochdale Harriers for 10 years.

He then took a time-out and when he went to work in Texas he embraced the American way of life and piled on the pounds.

He explained: "When I went to work in Dallas for two years I became fat and lazy.

"When I came back to Rochdale I bumped into Andy O'Sullivan and he encouraged me to take up running again."

Robinson has been following a 12-week training programme for the big day.

He is now in week five and runs 35 to 40 miles a week.

He will build up in the final stages to 50 miles a week.

He is confident he will be ready for his first marathon and said: "Andy has trained with me. He's helped on the longer runs and been great company."

The money he raises will go to the Whitworth branch of Cancer Research.