Ian's marathon bid just keeps on going

For most people, running one marathon is a challenge - but a Wigan dad has set himself a goal of running the equivalent of 10 marathons.
Ian YatesIan Yates
Ian Yates

Ian Yates will take part in the inaugural Ultra Great Britain 200-mile race this weekend, which will take him from Southport, over the Pennines and all the way to Hornsea.

And three weeks later he will run another 62 miles in the Thames Path Challenge 100km race, from Putney Bridge in London to Henley-on-Thames.

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He is taking on the two massive challenges to raise money for the Sepsis Trust after his dad Granville Yates, from Ashton, died of sepsis in May 2014.

Ian Yates at the end of the Greater Manchester marathonIan Yates at the end of the Greater Manchester marathon
Ian Yates at the end of the Greater Manchester marathon

Ian, of Hilgay Close, Winstanley, started running to help him get through the time his dad was in hospital and the period afterwards - and has not stopped since.

He said: “My sister did three half-marathons last year to raise money for Sepsis Trust and I have decided to do this for the same reason to generate money and to raise awareness of sepsis.”

The 43-year-old has been busy training for the ultra marathons and has been running with Wigan Harriers since November.

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He said: “My training is going as well as I can expect. I have done some 24-hour races to get used to running at night and I have done some back-to-back marathons.”

Ian Yates at the end of the Greater Manchester marathonIan Yates at the end of the Greater Manchester marathon
Ian Yates at the end of the Greater Manchester marathon

Ian’s longest run so far was 63 miles and he has run around 130 miles a month in training.

He has been running in different parts of the country, including over the Pennines.

Ian has also accompanied marathon runner and fund-raiser Ben Smith, who is aiming to run 401 marathons in 401 days.

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He is now in the final stages of preparing for the Ultra Great Britain race, which starts at 6am on Saturday.

Competitors have until 10am on Wednesday to complete the distance, but Ian hopes to finish on Monday or Tuesday.

The father-of-two will be joined by different people along the way, including his 15-year-old son Daniel, who will run five miles. Daniel ran a marathon with Ben Smith as part of his challenge.

Ian said: “I’m feeling confident, nervous and excited. I’m looking forward to it. There’s a full range of emotions.”

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Ian has a target of £1,000 and has already raised £595, which includes a £200 donation from CALM Solutions in Preston, where he works as a systems analyst.

To sponsor him, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/yatesy73.

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