On the Run.

"I'd been no good at school sports. Being small, I never got picked for football or cricket teams. I took to cycling in my teens and twenties - touring home and abroad. I even raced but not fast enough to win anything much.

As a married man with a family, I played tennis and squash, but never keen enough to train and improve. When I was 40, I discovered long distance running and got hooked. It was therapeutic; a switch off from life's problems. I entered races and someone told me that I was good for my age. That did it! A marathon under 3 hours became my goal.

3 hours 23 minute in Bolton; 3 hours 15 minute in Manchester; 3 hours 6 minute in Barmouth; 3 hours 1 minute on London.

Was it really possible at age 47? Three half marathons, each one faster than the one before, then back to London for the big one.

The training went well. With new laces in mature shoes and Vaseline on my toes, I was applying Elastoplast to my nipples when an interviewer from Radio London asked me to tell the listeners why I was doing that. Twenty seconds of fame, and then off to the Elite Veterans' start line. When half way was passed in 1 hour and 31 minutes, I thought I had been too relaxed. Damn it! I thought, there's always another day.

I stayed calm and ignored the time until when, on approaching the finish, I saw the official clock, just under three hours with 300 yards to go. My group of six or seven veteran runners made a dash for the line.

2 hours, 59 minutes and 58 seconds."

Please tell us about yourself.
I am a Lancastrian and I've lived in Rhayader since 1969. Married to Eileen for 41 years and we have two children and seven grandchildren. I am a self employed Consulting Civil Engineer, working from home, but covering all the UK. I love Wales, especially the Mid Wales hills, where I walk and mountain bike - I am more of a player than a spectator. I got involved, on stage, with the Rhayader and District Community Play in 1994 and went on to join the Rhayader Players (to which I am currently their Chairman). I absolutely love the pantomimes! I survived cancer in 1998 and would like to think that I know what is important in life.

What's your story about?
My story is about finding a sport, running, in middle age and striving for a goal. But will I achieve it before I get too old? Watch my film to find out!
At school in the 1940s and 1950s, it seemed that bigger was better when it came to sports. I grew to 5' 4" and loved sport, not football or cricket, but racing cycling, tennis and squash. I didn't achieve much until, in my 40s, I discovered long distance running and I was hooked. To complete a marathon in under three hours is quite an achievement, especially at 47.

How did you find the workshop?
The experience was wonderful. To be part of a team, learning new technological skills, making new friends and seeing the finished product, and all here in Rhayader was great. Like my magical marathon moment, when I crossed the finishing line. The digital storytelling experience will stay with me for ever.