A RYEDALE runner will complete his 100th marathon this month – to raise money for a cause that lies close to his heart, writes Lynn Humpleby.

Terry Greene, from Norton, will be taking part in the Yorkshire Marathon in York on October 20, which will mark his long distance milestone.

The 63-year-old will be raising money for Christie Hospital in Manchester after he was treated for a rare type of cancer there when he was a teenager.

The longstanding member of Pickering Running Club said: “I started running to keep fit during the jogging boom of the 1980s.

“At first I couldn’t run a mile but over the years I gradually built up the distance.

“By 2000 I felt ready to do my first marathon and I took part in the Berlin marathon. It was hell, but nothing beats the sense of achievement you feel when you get to the finishing line.”

Since then Terry has traveled the globe taking part in the iconic 26-mile races from Chicago to Vancouver to Blackpool.

After taking part in 50 marathons in ten years, the running bug had firmly bit and last year the psychiatric nurse notched up a massive 20 marathon events.

And his 100th marathon will be taking place in York with fellow running club members cheering him every step of the way.

Terry, who is originally from Manchester, said: “I’ve never done any fund-raising before but I thought as this one is so special it would be great to repay the debt I owe to Christie Hospital.

“When I was 17 I developed a massive lump on the side of my neck and I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is essentially a cancer of the lymph glands.

“After a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy I was given the all clear and I had not really thought much about this period of my life until now.

“I’m grateful to the hospital for the care they showed me and without them I would not be here to do this challenge.”

But Terry insists the York event will be his last marathon and will bring to an end his amazing journey.

He said: “I still get nervous before a race because it is tough to run such a long way.

“But this will be my last. Any way, if I did another I will have to do another 99!”

Any one who wants to sponsor Terry can donated at his online giving site: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TerryGreene