Mirfield man’s world record bid

Matthew Crowhurst will tomorrow (Saturday) attempt to run 105 kilometres in 12 hours on a treadmill at Castleford’s Xscape centre.

The event is part of his preparation for his upcoming Sahara desert run – a six-day, 250-kilometre race across the Sahara Desert – for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

He has already raised more than £6,000 for his overall fundraising drive, and feels that his world record attempt is the latest step to reach his target of £10,000 by the race’s start on April 4 next year.

He said: “Even though I am preparing for the run in the Sahara, I still needed something to spur me on through the winter months. I thought this was a good opportunity to do that – I spend more time on the treadmill at this time of year anyway.”

The current official world record for treadmill-running is 104 kilometres and a confident Matthew, 41, warned breaking the record would not be easy.

“As you’re indoors, it’s quite warm, and since you’re staying in the same place, it can be quite boring,” he said.

“But it will be a lot warmer in the Sahara!”

Cheer Matthew on at the Xscape centre tomorrow, 7am-7pm.

For more information on his desert run or his treadmill challenge, visit www.desertrun.co.uk.