A FORMER Warrington Town player is set to complete his challenge of running 10k every single day across 2021 tomorrow, on New Year’s Eve.

Ian Bold, who had success with Town, went out on a 10k on New Year’s Day of 2021 to clear his head and 364 runs later, he approaches the end of his challenge.

Ian – who has lived in Great Sankey for 17 years – was originally meant to stop on the 200th run but he has continued his efforts.

The 44-year-old said: “It’s just gone from there. We got to the six month mark and people suggested if I did the whole year they would give reasonable-sized donations which encouraged me into doing the full year.

“It’s become harder to stop and I think I will struggle to stop because it’s just become a habit.

“It’s nice because you’re running every day, you are keeping fit and just thinking of nothing for that hour.

“My knees are still letting me continue. I’m a bit sorer than last time as you have the lactic acid feeling in your calves the next day but as soon as you have done a mile, that has gone and you can crack on with it.”

There have been times when running has not been timely in the day, but Ian has plodded on.

“I’d almost feel a bit guilty if I didn’t run now. Don’t get me wrong, I won’t run every day for the rest of my life as there will be days when it is not convenient,” added Ian.

“I went away in the summer and after getting the early ferry to France, we had a more than eight-hour drive.

“We arrived in Bordeaux at around 8.30pm and I hadn’t had my run that day. All we wanted to do was relax, have a glass of wine, a bite to eat but instead, I did my 10k.

“They are the kind of days that I wouldn’t run because it spoils something else but because I have been doing it for charity for 12 months I had to go that day.

“It has taken over my life in a nice way but it’s not something that I will do every day going forward.

“It will be nice to not run on New Year’s Day but whether I will get up and fancy going for a run, I don’t know, but it will be nice to not have to run.”

Ian – a former pupil at William Beamont High School – smashed an initial £500 fundraising target. He has now raised more than £2,700 and is on course to reach his final target of £3,000 for two charities.

 

Ian is set to finish on New Years Eve

Ian is set to finish on New Year's Eve

 

The former Yellows man chose Bolton charity Speed of Sight, which arrange racing car events for blind and disabled children and young adults to provide them with that exhilaration of driving.

He also picked Prevent Breast Cancer as his co-director at Aqueous Digital, Emma Guy, is a breast cancer survivor and ambassador for the charity.

Ian- brought up in Orford – continued: “There is about £250 worth of donations promised when it is done. One guy I won’t name said whatever I am short of £3,000 on January 1, he will top it up.

“The sooner I can get there the better because it would be great to give both charities £1,500 each.

“Not that I have a preference for either of the charities because they are both fantastic, but it will be extra special for speed of sight as it will pay for lots of people to have that driving experience.

“You instantly see the effect that charity has on people.

“Anyone who donates to charity has got to be given a massive thumbs up. I just want to say a massive thanks to anyone regardless of what they have donated.

“Hopefully before the challenge ends we can maybe even break the £3,000.”

You can donate to the cause here.