Walter to run 90 miles around Co Down coast

Walter to run 90 miles around Co Down coast

28 June 2017

A BALLYNAHINCH businessman has appealed for local support as he gears up for an ambitious 24-hour running challenge.

Walter Matthews aims to raise £5,000 for Cancer Research during a 90-mile run from Ballynahinch on Friday morning, with a route that includes Downpatrick, Portaferry, Comber, Bangor and the Ards peninsula.

He is hoping as many runners as possible will join him along the route and has asked people to come along to the Ballynahinch Market Square for 9am on Saturday where Ballynahinch Lions will host a celebratory coffee morning.

A keen runner and a member of Lagan Valley Running Club, Walter was motivated to raise money for Cancer Research after his sister Claire was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago.

Training for six months for the “ultra run”, he said he has clocked up hundreds of miles in recent months but had started to taper his schedule to ensure he is fighting fit for Friday morning.

Walter, who is 52 and has been running for eight years, said he hoped his underlying fitness and public support would push him over the finish line.

“I have been following the 26 week training ultra run schedule to the book,” he said.

“There will be other runners joining me along the road and Citroen UK are providing the support vehicle, which will be driven by my brother Roy while my daughter Tanya will look after the food end of things for me.

“Hopefully there might be 50 to 60 people joining me on the way and as many people as possible at the finish line on Saturday morning would be great.”

Walter said his fundraising run is his way of trying to help an important charity which does so much for individuals and their families across Northern Ireland.

Hoping for cool and dry conditions, Walter says he is nonetheless prepared for any eventuality weather-wise.

“The old legs might get a bit tired, but I am preparing as best I can,” he said.

“Slow and steady will be the order of the day when I set out and while I would like it to be dry, I hope it’s not too warm. You never know what to expect from the weather in this country.”

If anyone would like to donate to Walter’s fundraising effort they are asked to log on to his Just Giving page and follow directions. Donations can also be left at his Lisburn Street shop, Backcare Mattresses, in Ballynahinch.