In the running for new record

Schoolboy Roddy Crichton is preparing to make sporting history - in Siberia.
Roddy Crichton with his Junior Ironman medalRoddy Crichton with his Junior Ironman medal
Roddy Crichton with his Junior Ironman medal

When the eight-year-old from Heskin, near Chorley, puts on his running shoes and pounds the streets on Saturday he will become the first international child to compete in the Omsk 1.5 mile road race.

And, he is doing it all so he can get some “proper” sports equipment for his village school.

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There to cheer him on will be sports mad dad Scott, mum Victoria and six-year-old sister Ruby who have all travelled to Russia for the event.

And, while Roddy is running Scott will be catching his breath as he recovers from taking part in the Siberian International Marathon.

Scott said: “ I do the winter marathon every year but this is first time I have been in temperatures of less than minus 30. While I was there in January I asked if Roddy could run and they were delighted. They’ve never had an international child runner before so they are really pulling the stops out.

“He is really looking forward to it and has been training by running with me, he loves running and last weekend he took part in the Junior Ironman.”

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Roddy said: “We don’t have any proper bibs for football at school so I wanted to raise some money from running to buy some. I run with my dad most days. I just love it and I love swimming to.”

The youngster set a target of £350 and has nearly doubled that.