A MAN from Ellesmere Port who took up running just six months ago is set to take on the MBNA Chester Marathon for a children's hospice.

Wade Kelly, 26, will tackle the 26 mile race and attempt to secure a coveted 'Chester Triple' medal on October 8, having already completed the MBNA Chester 10k and ESSAR Chester Half Marathon.

Wade will be raising money for children's hospice charity Hope House Tŷ Gobaith.

He said: "I’m not really a runner. I hit a rough patch a while ago and had a period of being lazy and never really doing anything active.

"I needed something to motivate me and thought stepping out of my comfort zone for a really good cause would be ideal."

Wade’s inspirational effort is made more remarkable by the fact he completed the 10k and half marathon on very little training.

"I joined the gym a few months ago to help prepare but I think I did about four training runs for the 10k and maybe six for the half marathon," he said.

"I remember coming into the last two miles of the half marathon and I felt I was going to be sick, but I pushed through and made it."

Training around his job as a barman at the popular Mowgli restaurant in Cheshire Oaks, Wade has been putting in more miles for the marathon and has done the 16k from home to work.

"I’m a bit nervous," he said.

"I’ve never pushed myself this hard physically before but am looking forward to the challenge and know I’ll get a boost on the day from the atmosphere plus friends and colleagues."

The series of Chester road races are organised by Active Leisure Event.

Event Director, Callum Shields said: "We're completely overwhelmed by the volume of charity runners we have taking part in the MBNA Chester Marathon & Metric Marathon, thank you.

"Also a huge good luck to Wade and all of those aiming for the illustrious Chester Triple Medal, we'll be cheering you home at the finish line."

Cheshire area fundraiser Nicola Eyes is backing Wade and said: "Wade has taken on an immense challenge by running all Active Leisure runs for 2023.

"The amount of training needed for a marathon is heroic.

"The training is lonely and mentally draining but the day itself really is the lap of honour.

"We take our hats off to Wade and his achievements for Hope House and we will be there cheering him every step of the way."

You can sponsor Wade via Mowgli's Just Giving Page, by visiting: www.justgiving.com/page/mowgli-cheshire-oaks.