RAY COLLETT refused to be beaten when his car broke down while he was on his way to compete in a half marathon.

Ray, who had a heart by-pass 2-years ago, had planned to take part in the Great North Run on Tyneside and then go on to compete in Sunday's Robin Hood Marathon at Nottingham.

He was unable to take part in the Tyneside race because of a problem with his car. But, as a warm up for the Nottingham event, the secretary of Horwich New Heart Club competed instead the next day in a 15 mile run around the Chorley and Adlington areas.

Ray, of Heather Close, Horwich, managed to repair his car in time for the Robin Hood race last weekend and was delighted with his performance.

He completed the 26 mile course in a time of five hours and 35 minutes.

Ray said: "I did the London Marathon a year after my heart by-pass operation, the first time I had done any running apart from the training for it, but it took me seven hours. I was determined to do the Nottingham marathon in under six hours and was delighted with my time," said Ray.

Ray raised £100 for the Horwich New Heart Club in the race.

Since the Horwich group was formed seven years ago, it has raised more than £40,000 for the North West New Heart New Start appeal. The next fund-raising event is the club's flag day on Saturday November 23.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.