Caretaker runs 1,017km to raise money for research into Huntingdon’s Disease

AFTER running the equivalent of more than 24 marathons in 100 days, you would think Great Sankey dad Rich Watson would treat himself to a day off.

But instead the day after the challenge was complete, the school caretaker was back pounding the pavements and completing another 10k.

The 42-year-old ran 1,017km in 100 days, doing a minimum of 5km every day, to raise cash for the Huntington's Disease Association after his father-in-law Steve and wife Nicola were recently diagnosed with the condition.

Rich, who works at Park Road Primary School, said: “Over the past 18 months my father-in-law started developing symptoms and then found out he had it which was devastating.

“My wife decided she would get tested and after six months of counselling to prepare her for the results, found out towards the end of last year that she has it too.

“There’s no treatment or cure but the charity has offered lots of support and advice so we are hoping to raise as much as possible towards research for them.”

Rich, who has been married for 21 years, had previously run 5km every day for 50 days last year to support his friend Andy Stevenson’s charity The Rett Syndrome Research Trust UK.

Dad to Olivia, aged 14, and Holly, aged 12, added: “It was more mentally tough than physically because I’m not a runner, I’m an overweight middle-aged man!

“It was hard motivating myself to get up every day but the day after it was finished I did another 10k just for me.”

Visit justgiving.com/rich-watsonHDA or or donate £5 by texting NOHD71 £5 to 70070.