A DARLINGTON man is running a marathon for an army charity, wearing a ten kilogram vest to replicate body armour worn by soldiers.

Ian Bloomfield, 36, from Middleton St. George, Darlington, who joined the Army in 2010 is running the Brighton Marathon to raise funds for the ABF The Soldiers' Charity.

The Soldiers' Charity, formally the Army Benevolent Fund, is the official charity of the British Army.

This marathon will be the 36-year-old's sixth marathon, though his first wearing a ten kilogram vest which is known as a plate carrier.

He said:“I must admit I feel pretty anxious for this marathon. This is not only the first one I’ve done for a charity, but I’ve never run this distance wearing a ten kilogram camouflage plate carrier.

"It’s incredibly uncomfortable to run in and I know that it’s going to be very physical demanding. The potential for injury whilst training and worse, on the day, is very high.

“I chose to support the ABF as it’s always having to compete with some of the bigger name military charities and I just think it’s incredible how broad the spectrum of soldiers they support is.

“I feel so proud to be able to represent the charity and hope I raise a good amount of money to assist them in their continued efforts."

Mr Bloomfield hopes to complete 50 marathons by the time he is 50-years-old and has been training, wearing the vest which "affects every aspect " of his running technique, at Snap Fitness Darlington.

“Practicing running with the vest on in a controlled environment at Snap Fitness has been essential to my training plan," he added.

“The real challenge has been getting my body and mind used to running with it on, as it affects every aspect of my usual running technique. I’ve had to really focus on slowing my pace down, so that I don’t burn out halfway through."

Gym manager Darren Edwards: “Ian is such a determined person, having done marathons in the past and now challenging himself by adding the weighted vest is just incredible.

"The fact that he is raising money for a charity very close to his heart just shows his character. We will support Ian in whatever he needs and look forward to him smashing his target out the park”.

Mr Bloomfield is also set on completing a ten marathons in then days challenge.

To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ian-bloomfield