A DAD has completed his first road race at the age of 52.

Chris Swallow completed the Manchester 10k in an impressive 61 minutes and 35 seconds!

Chris, from Bartington, came in the top third out of 30,000 runners!

The dad-of-two only took up running after the company that he works for, ASM Technologies Ltd in Winsford, selected St Luke’s Hospice as their charity of the year for 2019..

Finance director Chris said: “Having never run before, let alone being fit, this was certainly a personal challenge. The challenges St Luke’s face every day both in terms of the care they provide and the donations they need to cover their daily costs certainly puts my achievement into perspective.”

Chris’s exploits have already netted more than £1,600 for St Luke’s.

"Cancer touches an increasing number of families, my own included," he added. "The funding that goes into research will give hope for the future. However it is sad to see in the 21st century that the hospice movement is still largely reliant upon private donations."

His triumph has not gone unnoticed by his colleagues.

Northwich Guardian:

Chris Swallow, a finance director at ASM Technologies Ltd, proudly shows off his Manchester 10k medal to company director Graham Aspinall

Company director Graham Aspinall said: “We are very impressed with Chris’s fundraising for St Luke's. We are busy looking forward to future events in which ASM can help support this good cause.”

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Andy Bailey, corporate partnerships manager for St Luke’s Hospice, said: “Chris has taken it upon himself to get out there, do a little bit of training and pound the streets of Manchester in aid of St Luke’s.

"Looking at some of the comments from donors on his Just Giving page, it is clear to see that this challenge was not a natural fit for Chris! He’s done brilliantly and laid down the gauntlet to his workmates.”

To donate visit justgiving.com/asm-technologies