AT 53 you'd think businessman Martyn Bracegirdle would spare his free time relaxing.

But Martyn has channelled all his energy into bringing in the Millennium by completing a challenging run of more than 2,000 miles.

Backed by Newsquest, of which the Citizen group is a subsidiary, the plucky runner is making his way from Land's End to John O'Groats - and back again!

Today (Thursday), Martyn will be making his way through Gretna Green, Scotland, but he stopped off in Bamber Bridge last Friday.

He hopes to complete the run in just 121 days, passing the finishing line on December 30.

It means completing four-fifths of an Olympic marathon distance, six days a week, for four months.

Martyn reckons he'll wear out a dozen pairs of running shoes, eat 250 tins of baked beans, 1,000 Mars Bars and 100 boxes of Kellogg's cornflakes, and drink 500 litres of Cranberry juice.

He said: "Although I don't belong to any running clubs, I've been a keen runner since my teens, long before the London Marathon was invented.

"It's just something that's in my blood. Running is a great mental stimulant, after a hard day in the office, an energetic sprint invigorates the body and soul.

"I am determined to complete the run on time for the dawn of the Millennium."

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