A CHARITY run will take place this weekend in honour of an inspirational Wirral marathon runner who has passed away.

Taking place at Seacombe Promenade on Sunday, the Medal Muddle 5K is being staged in memory of popular Eddy Mountford.

Eddy, who lived in Woodchurch, was much-loved and respected across the Merseyside running community. He, sadly, died in November aged 96.

Born in Birkenhead, Eddy took up running at the age of 58 after losing his wife Joan.

He had high aspirations and pulled on his running shoes after being inspired by the London Marathon on television.

During his running years, his achievements included countless 10K races, half marathons and more than 30 marathons – including completing that all-important London Marathon more than 20 times.

His personal best marathon time was in Wolverhampton aged 60 with an incredible time of two hours and 59 minutes.

Another huge accolade for Eddy was winning the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Merseyside Running Community Awards in 2014 when he was 91-years-old.

His final race event was the inaugural Run For The 95 5K in April 2015, which saw Eddy run past his beloved Goodison Park. Eddy had five daughters, 12 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.

Grandson Mark Lennon, who regularly ran with Eddy, said: "Eddy met and inspired so many men and women to achieve their running goals.

"He was more than a runner, he was a local legend and he would be the proudest man around knowing this fun run is being staged in his honour.

"Thank you to BTR Liverpool who have been so good to him over the years, we know he held the BTR team in such high regard.

"We hope Eddy’s legacy will continue and good luck to everyone taking part."

BTR Race director Alan Rothwell said: "We were deeply saddened to hear about Eddy's passing, he really was one of a kind, a real gentleman and most definitely an inspiration to everyone who was lucky enough to meet him.

"Staging the event in Eddy's memory is a fitting tribute.

"Eddy's family will be taking part as we celebrate his achievements in what was a long and successful running life."

Since starting in August, the Medal Muddle events have been staged in Hoylake, West Kirby and Arrowe Park, and so far have raised £800 for the Hoylake branch of the RNLI, £315 for Pawprints Animal Rescue in Hoylake and £315 for the Shy Lowen Horse Sanctuary in Liverpool.

The chosen charity for the fourth event is the Charles Thompson Mission in Birkenhead.

Online entries for the Medal Muddle 5K close at 5pm today (Monday December 23), entries will be taken on event day.

The 1K fun run is on the day entry only.

For full details visit https://www.btrliverpool.com/medalmuddle

Website www.btrliverpool.com

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