For those of us whose New Year’s resolution was to take more exercise, they need to look no further for inspiration than our January speaker Chris Davies. A familiar figure often seen pounding the pavements in and around Diss,Chris told us of his ambition to complete 50 marathons.

For further information on Diss U3A please visit our website or telephone 01379 642674.

The next meeting of Diss U3A will be held at Diss United Reformed Church on 6th February commencing at 10.30am.

 

So far he has achieved a total of 42 and plans to have completed all 50 by 2017. At school Chris was a keen cross country runner and whilst serving as a bandsman in the army in Germany he was encouraged to take part in the Berlin Marathon. It was as a result of this experience that Chris’ interest in long distance running began. Since then he has taken part in marathons all over the world in places as diverse as Boston to Kathmandu and he is one of an elite group of runners who have completed the Everest Marathon, one of the world’s most dangerous runs, where only 100 of the fittest runners are allowed to compete. Although the course is mainly downhill it is a feat Chris is not keen to repeat. Taking us through his training regime Chris stressed that distance running is not for the feint-hearted requiring months of dedicated training carried out in all weathers and conditions, bearing in mind that of the 100,000 who apply to run in London only 30,000 are accepted. However all of those who do cross the line and receive their medals should be congratulated not only on completing the course but by also helping to raise the huge amounts of sponsorship money pledged each year for charity.