97 miles, 24 hours, one goal

Marathon man . . . Ian Bishop

HITTING 40 and a looming mid-life crisis prompted Oldham barber Ian Bishop to pull on his running shoes . . . and he’s never looked back.

Three years later and three-and-a-half stones lighter, he will tackle an astonishing 97-mile route in 24 hours.

The father-of-one has pledged to run the Cheshire canal ring to raise money for research into a rare condition which affects a friend’s daughter.

Ian, who lives in Greaves Street, Lees, with his wife, Louise, who teaches diving at Oldham Sports Centre, has already completed nine marathons, two 50-mile challenges, 13 half-marathons and a triathlon.

He works from his barber’s shop in Queen Street, Oldham, and trains for up to 10 hours a week.

He insisted: “I’m not obsessive, it’s only the same amount of time many people spend watching soaps.”

Now Ian’s calling for support to add to the £2,740 already pledged to the worthy cause.

Six-year-old Emily-May, who lives in Blackpool, has Sotos Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder also known as cerebral gigantism.

It’s characteristic is a large head circumference, but children with the condition can have a wide range of medical issues which include heart or kidney defects, curvature of the spine, epilepsy, hearing and sight loss.

Speech and language difficulties are common. Most have behavioural problems. One in 14,000 babies has the condition.

Ian said: “Emily-May is happy, very caring and loving.

“She has been through an extreme amount for her young years, but is always smiling.

“Her parents, Susan and Simon, are very proud of her.”

Sponsor Ian on-line at www.justgiving.com/ianbishop