A RETIRED lecturer from Osmotherley has become a world champion long distance runner at the age of 65.

Instead of putting his feet up, Dr Roy Bainbridge put on his running shoes to win the International Association of Ultra Runners 100km veterans world challenge cup.

He was the only athlete in the 65 and over age group to finish the gruelling event in Winschaten, Holland, recording a time of 11 hours 35 minutes. Only 194 out of 350 competitors from 33 different countries managed to complete the course.

Dr Bainbridge, who was a lecturer in the computer science department at York University and has lived at Osmotherley since 1981, said: "I've always been a long distance trail runner and it was only this year that I decided to try ultra events."

The race in Holland was only his second attempt at the distance after competing in the Edinburgh 100k in July.

He told the D&S Times: "It was a tough course, with ten laps of ten kilometres. The first kilometre of each lap was over cobblestones and I found it tough going."

Dr Bainbridge, who runs for Mandale Harriers, received a lot of help and advice from Guisborough long distance expert Sharon Gayter, an experienced Great Britain international.

His wife Marie also provided vital support, manning his drinks station during the race.

Dr Bainbridge, who for the last two years has been the UK 26-mile veteran trail running champion and has also been the top man in his age group in the Lanzarote, Barbados, Italian and Lochaber marathons, was a rugby hooker in his younger days.

He began circuit training twice a week after starting work at York University in 1985, but it was only when he retired ten years ago that he decided to take up long distance running.

He is a familiar figure on the moors around his Osmotherley home, where he does most of his average 50 miles a week training.