Swindon Advertiser editor Mark Waldron is to run a half-marathon later this year – and is keeping readers updated on his training progress with a weekly in-paper diary.

The 39-year-old has not done any distance running since being forced to do cross-country at school and until a few days ago his excercise routine consisted of walking from the car to the office.

But after readers helped to raise £1m for Macmillan Cancer Support he decided to do something personal for the charity – and will be running on its behalf.

Mark (pictured) told HoldtheFrontPage: “I was genuinely so impressed by readers raising so much money but had not really done anything myself apart from put my hand in my pocket.

“I sat down with Macmillan after the appeal and somehow the conversation turned to me saying ‘I’ll run the Swindon Half-Marathon’.

“It’s a big event on the local calendar and if it gets me fit I can’t argue and if it raises money for a good cause then I’m happy to put myself out.”

Mark has now begun a 12-week training regime ready for the event on October 15, and has published his first diary entry in the paper – so he can’t back out.

He is also hoping it will inspire other people to do the same, and has published his training programme for others to follow.

Mark said: “I really am at a starting point of zero. The demands of work and family life mean I don’t have time to keep fit.

“It is quite daunting – I’ve started doing three or four-mile runs and I’m thinking ‘can I really do four times this in 12 weeks time?’

“Now it has gone in the paper I guess I’ll have to finish, even if I have to walk round!”