A runner from County Durham has completed the arduous second leg of a charity fundraising treble to support a local wildlife charity.

Chris Lines, from Sedgefield, is attempting to complete a half marathon, a marathon, and a 50-mile ultra-marathon, all in just three weeks and to raise money for Durham Wildlife Trust.

Chris Lines, a business owner and Durham county councillor, pledged to fundraise for Durham Wildlife Trust at this year’s Great North Run, but as a keen runner who takes part in the world’s biggest half marathon every year anyway, he decided to add something to the challenge.

He headed to the Scottish Highlands for Salomon Skyline Scotland completing the Lochaber 80 Ultra on Saturday September 17.

The Northern Echo: Chris Lines Chris Lines (Image: Chris Lines)

Read more: Aycliffe man can't believe his eyes after ordering second-hand book on Amazon

The event is an 80km (50-mile) trail run with 2,000 metres of ascent, that follows a route from Kinlochleven and takes participants a good way up the flanks of Ben Nevis.

He came 20th with a time of 11 hours, eight minutes and 24 seconds.

Chris’s treble will conclude on October 1 and 2, when he takes part in two races at the Kielder Marathon weekend, running a leg in the ‘Sedgefield Specials’ relay team during the Run-Bike-Run and then the full marathon.

Chris said: “I was delighted when Durham Wildlife Trust offered me a place at this year’s Great North Run.

“The trust is a great charity that is doing really important work to protect and conserve wildlife from Tees to Tyne, and that work is more vital than ever as we try to address the huge challenges posed by the ecological emergency that we all face.

“However, I felt a bit cheeky asking people to sponsor me for taking part in the Great North Run, because I run at the event every year.

“So, to add a little spice, I’m decided on a treble that would definitely take me out of my comfort zone.

To get more stories direct to your email basket go here

“I’ve taken part in events at every Kielder Marathon weekend since it was launched, so I know what to expect at ‘Britain’s most beautiful marathon’, but I was feeling a bit daunted by the Lochaber 80.

“I’ve never tried a race of that distance before and although we have some lovely countryside around Sedgefield, there’s a distinct lack of mountains to train on.

"A few steep climbs at the trust’s Bishop Middleham Quarry site were quite handy though."

The Northern Echo: Chris training at Durham Wildlife Trust's Bishop Middleham Quarry siteChris training at Durham Wildlife Trust's Bishop Middleham Quarry site (Image: Training at Durham Wildlife Trust's Bishop Middleham Quarry site. Picture: CONTRIBUTOR)

Chris said: "The Great North Run went to plan and assuming that I can tick off all three legs of the treble, I hope to raise a good amount for a really crucial cause for all of our futures.

"Then, I might have a little lie down.”

To make a donation to Chris’s fundraising, click here 

Read next:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here