A RUNNER who has pledged to run three miles a day for a year to raise vital funds for charity has reached the halfway mark.

Gareth Catherall, who has so far raised more than £1,000 for Cancer Research UK, marked day 183 of his running challenge by dressing up as the Honey Monster.

The Conwy council worker, who lives in Glan Conwy, was inspired to do the challenge after losing both his mother and father to cancer.

Gareth’s mum Violet Drene Catherall [best known to family and friends as Drene] lost her battle against cancer in July 2013. His father, William Eric Catherall [better known as Eric], died from cancer in 2014.

December 4 2019 would have been Drene's 80th birthday and September 1, 2020, would have been Eric's 80th birthday.

Gareth is carrying out the personal challenge to mark the birthdays.

He is on target to reach mile 1,024, his father’s police number when he worked for North Wales Police, by September 1.

North Wales Pioneer:

Gareth Catherall

Gareth said: "To reach the halfway point in my challenge is quite difficult to put into words really. A day of mixed emotions is probably the best way to describe it.

"I am amazed that I have managed to get this far but the memories of the people I am running for are not too far from my mind either."

Gareth, who is engaged to Gail Roberts, is also remembering Geoffrey Isaacs, the father of his best friend, and Janette McCarthy, a former work colleague, who both died following long battles with cancer.

He stressed how important it has been for him to carry on with his challenging throughout the pandemic.

"It has helped a lot with my routine for the day and the runs themselves certainly help to clear my head," Gareth added.

"Some days the runs have been easier than others but there have also been some difficult ones. I know there will be some more difficult ones coming up over the next few weeks and months."

Talking about day 183 in his Honey Monster outfit, he said: "The Honey Monster outfit is the only fancy dress outfit I own. It is the first time ever I have run in fancy dress and I wanted to mark the halfway point in someway.

"I had people honking their car horns and people telling me I had made their day as I ran passed them. If it helps raise awareness then that is a good thing.

"I really cant believe how many donations I have had," he added.

"People have been truly very kind indeed. I would certainly like to thank everyone who has donated."

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/garethruns1300