OLDHAM LIBERAL Democrat MEP Chris Davies is celebrating after successfully defending his over-50’s ultra-distance running championship title.
The Greenfield-based Davies (59) managed to fit in eight off-road races during the year over distances of up to 61 miles, and has been declared the men’s over 50 years old champion for the second successive year.
Davies, a former MP for Littleborough and Saddleworth, was also fourth in the over-40 classification and beat over 200 competitors of all ages.
The UK’s RUNFURTHER ultra-running championships consists of 12 races, including four ‘short’ races of 30-35 miles, four ‘medium’ races of 36-45 miles and four long races of over 46 miles.
Competitors have to complete at least four races, including one from each category, with the best performances to count. Davies’s races have taken him from the Yorkshire Moors to the Brecon Beacons.
He said: “It’s hard to snatch the time to keep fit, but once a month I have taken a Saturday off work and gone for a long race over the hills or across the countryside.
“Politics may no longer be associated with smoke-filled rooms but it’s still good to have the opportunity to get out into the fresh air and see some different landscapes.
“Given my age I’m glad that stamina counts for more than speed in events of this kind, and hugely grateful that my knees haven’t given up on me.”
The MEP says that his priority next year will be a different kind of challenge. He will be competing in the elections on May 22 to retain his seat in the European Parliament.”
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