A journalist is set to take on his 21st marathon as he prepares to turn 65.

Red Williams is currently in training for the first Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, which will raise money for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal and the MND Association.

Red, a father-of-three and grandfather-of-one, has been a journalist for 43 years and most recently worked in the regional press on the Harborough Mail, in Leicestershire.

He has also just clocked up 20 years covering more than 600 football matches for The Sun.

The race, on 14 May, will be his 21st marathon and ultra-marathon in a running career that has also taken in dozens of 30ks, 15-milers and half-marathons over the past 21 years.

The marathon is named for former Leeds Rhinos rugby league player Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND in December 2019 and has since launched campaigns, supported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, to raise awareness of the disease.

Red, pictured at the 2018 Windermere Marathon, said: “Many of us have had very good friends and loved ones struck down by MND, a brutal and deadly disease.

“We have seen them waste away before our very eyes, reduced to mere shadows of their former selves by a cruel, ruthless illness that shows no mercy.

“Devastating the brain and nerves, there is currently no cure for MND. So the more money we can raise the better – both to help support people with MND and to help finance vital research to develop new treatments and finally create a cure.

“Suitably Rob’s marathon will start and finish at Headingley Stadium, the ground where the magical rugby league wizard made his name starring for Rhinos.”

Red will be joined on the day by Market Harborough-based running buddy and rugby league fan Pete Leach, 76.

Red added: “I’ve got to say that despite racing and competing all over the world this will be my proudest and most emotional moment in running when I do cross the finish line in Leeds on 14 May.”

To sponsor Red and Pete, click here.