Charity champ completes race hat-trick
A RUNNER has completed a trio of demanding challenges in aid of three good causes.
Chris Furlong has completed the Bolton 10k, the Great Manchester Run and the Southport Half Marathon over the past few months, to raise money for Heywood Senior Guides , Springhill Hospice and Inspire Middleton’s Lighthouse Project.
Chris, who lives in Hopwood with his wife and daughters and is a Councillor for the North Middleton ward, has a long track record of supporting charities and has raised more than £100,000 in the past 10 years.
His latest challenges have raised around £1,300 for the three organisations.
He completed the half marathon over the weekend in a respectable time of 1 hour 57 mins and 22 seconds after months of intense training.
In preparation for the races, over the past six months he has run 325,000 metres and swam 378 swimming pool lengths, which is the equivalent to running to Birmingham and back.
He has been training on the track at Kingsway and on the roads around Middleton, Rochdale and Heywood.
Chris said “I was happy to keep my own pace for most of the race, however, I know what people mean when they say ‘You hit the wall’
“For the final mile it was really tough. My legs were like cement. Luckily I had my family there to cheer me on to the end.
“I would like to give a big thanks to Rochdale Harriers who have helped me.
In 2013, Chris was presented with the ‘above and beyond’ award by his then employer, the Bibby Line Group, for raising £25,000 in 12 months.
His achievements led to him being given the nickname ‘Heywood’s Bob Geldof.’
To sponsor Chris see justgiving.com/ fundraising/chrisfurlong3