The long, and short, route to runners’ success

Dr Emmanuel Gye plans to run more marathons

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‘I am aching, but I’ve got the marathon bug’

OLDHAM GP Emmanuel Gye is back in his surgery, tired but triumphant, after clocking up the 26 miles of the London Marathon in four hours and 46 minutes.

The marathon-running medic admitted: “You bet I am aching . . . but I have a grin plastered on my face from the satisfaction.

“It was lovely weather in London on Sunday, but therein lies the problem.

“After 13 miles I started flagging, felt too hot and got cramps after running a few hundred yards.

“It was tougher than I anticipated but I have caught the marathon bug, and I plan to get my time to four hours or less next time.”

Dr Gye has so far collected sponsorship of around £600 from his first marathon run, in aid of the charity Mercy Ships.

The father-of-two supports the cause which converts retired cargo and merchant ships into field hospitals, staffs them with volunteers, and sends them to dock at Third World ports to offer lifesaving medical aid to locals.

A GP at Glodwick Medical Practice for three years, Dr Gye aims to do a stint on one of the ships as a volunteer when his children are older.


5k victory for Mike

A CHARITY run proved a walk in the park for one speedy Shaw man.

Mike Flatley (39), a member of Middleton Harriers, won the CAFOD A Walk in the Park event in Manchester’s Heaton Park on Sunday in a time of 17 minutes, 28 seconds.

He said: “I came third in the Oldham half marathon just a few weeks ago so this 5K is a nice warm-down from that!”

Around 200 runners and walkers took part and had the option of running a challenging 5km or walking a more gentle 2km.

Members of the Terence O’Grady Club in Egerton Street, Oldham, which helps adults with learning difficulties, tackled the 2K and intend to split the fundraising money between the club and CAFOD.

Vice-chairman Barry King said: “I’m a volunteer for CAFOD and so wanted to help support the charity as well as bring in some money for the club. There’s been a great atmosphere and it’s a real community event and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed the day.”

It was the fifth time CAFOD, the official overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, has held the event and the charity hopes to raise £3,000 this year.

The money will go to help the developing world combat poverty by promoting long-term development, responding to emergencies and supporting social justice.