IT may be billed as a tough relay race that could put any team of athletes to the test.

But that did not deter runner Graham Cunliffe, who entered the 37-mile Rochdale Canal Relay...and completed all the stages on his own!

Graham, 47, took on all runners in the event and put his success down to his age after managing to beat eight teams.

The race is divided into seven stages, and usually team members would take turns running.

But marathon man Graham, who is a member of Clayton Harriers, based at Wilson Playing Fields, is used to going the distance, and took to the hills around Todmorden to finish in 11th place.

Graham, from Newby in the Ribble Valley, entered the race, on February 8, under the team name 'Billy No Mates'. He said: "You get more stamina as you get older. I am 48 this year and with 20 years behind me it sees me through.

"The key is getting your head round it. Some of the people I talk to dread doing a marathon. But I have a different mind set. I've done that many they don't bother me any more."

Graham is no stranger to long distances. Graham won last year's 31-mile Wuthering Hike race in Yorkshire and came eighth in the London to Brighton race in October. He has also run the London Marathon eight times.

Now he is training for April's London marathon, which he hopes to finish in the top 20 for his age group, and he hopes to run the Rochdale Canal Relay again to improve his time.

He said: "

"There were runners there who thought I was mad! One or two runners knew I was doing it then towards the end a lot of people got to know. There was quite a good reception, clapping and cheering.

"It was a good laugh and I finished in quite good shape, 11th out of the 17 teams."

Graham, who works at Grindleton School as a caretaker, was helped along the course by his wife of 25 years, Judith, and the couple's dog, lurcher Seb. He admits the race really was a team effort.

He said: "My wife runs a bit. She doesn't like me doing these long runs and gets concerned. I haven't come unstuck yet, but she does tell me off. She followed me all the way around to give me drinks. She's very good."

Martin Baines, sports centre manager for the University of Central Lancashire, said: "People generally lose fitness as they get older, but there is no reason why they should if they keep fit. Graham should keep on trucking!"