MARATHON runner Chris Hallinan is taking on the world.

The 66-year-old Leigh Harrier is making final preparations for the World Vets Marathon in Gateshead on August 8.

And he is hoping it will cap a great year of running.

He has just handed a cheque for £728 to Christie's Hospital - sponsorship he raised from his 3-41 run at the Boston Marathon in April.

"I really enjoyed the race," said Chris, of Meynell Drive, Leigh,. "There were around 15,000 runners and I finished 5,449th. But it could have been better. I got in 'traffic' right at the start and couldn't make up the time lost."

Back in January Chris won his age group at the Helsby Half-Marathon, hitting 1-37, and in March he repeated the effort in the Rochdale 20 (2-36).

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