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Journalist throws down gauntlet in running challenge

Journalists keen to shed the professional stereotype of overweight smokers tied to their desks can now join a running challenge.

David Waddington, a reporter with the North Wales Pioneer, has thrown down the gauntlet to four types of reporters keen to prove they’re the fittest.

The challenge is now open and in the next 111 days magazine, online, daily and weekly journalists can answer the call of the road to show who can go furthest.

All the running writers need is an iPod and Nike+ running shoes.

Every time a journalist hits the road, the iPod and trainers work together to calculate the distance covered.

The information can then be uploaded from the iPod to the internet where the results can be tallied and compared.

The pedometer technology means that cheating is not possible.

An online ‘trash talk’ chat forum also exists where journalists can log on and “discuss” who’s going to come out on top.

David told holdthefrontpage: “I had the idea to try and motivate me and other people to get off the sofa.

“If there’s a competitive element, then it’ll get more support.

“A couple of journalists from Brazil have signed up already. It’s just a bit of fun really.”

To join the race visit the Nike+ Challenge website.