47-year-old dad of three Mike Critchley isn’t quite a Hollywood superstar yet, but he’s running his way into the local paper by racing for Cancer Research dressed as the Dark Knight.
Mike, from Swinton, will don on his mask and cape to take on four Manchester Great Run Local 5k runs in Wythenshawe Park, Birchfields Park, Salford Quays and Debdale Park.
Then he’ll suit up for The Great Manchester Run on 22 May.
The postman, who lives in Swinton with his wife Helen, 19-year-old daughter Beth and 16 and 11-year-old sons James and Tom, only started running seriously in 2014.
So why get rubber-clad to race in sweltering heat?
“Batman always gets a great reaction from the crowds at running events,” said Mike.
My wife thinks running in a rubber mask, gloves, leggings and cape when it’s 23 degrees outside is an insane thing to.
“She could have a point.”
He’ll be joined by his sidekick – dressed as Robin of course – son James, a year 11 pupil at Moorside High School.
James has GCSEs on his mind as he’s due to sit the exams this summer.
But since joining the Salford Harriers running club he’s got more into the sport and enjoys running with his dad to raise money for charity.
The pair are fundraising for Cancer Research.
“Cancer can affect anyone, young or old, rich or poor,” says Mike.
“Everyone has friends or family who have suffered from this terrible disease so it is great to be doing something positive to fight against cancer.”
For Mike, it was the death of his uncle Peter while he was only in his late 50s that spurred him on.
“I run three or four times a week, usually along the Worsley loopline or Bridgewater Canal towpath.
“I started with the Worsley Woods park run in 2014, and my first 10k was the Greater Manchester Run that year.
“Last year I ran the Liverpool Half Marathon and this April I did the Manchester Marathon in 3 hours and 54 minutes.”
“My daughter Beth 19 has sponsored me, James is running with me and Tom will be cheering us on.
“The real heroes are the people who are fighting cancer every day. It could be anyone one of us.
“I’m running to raise money for Cancer Research so they can help them win the fight.”
If you’d like to sponsor Mike and James please head to their JustGiving page here.
Great Run Local is a national network of free, friendly running events organised by fantastic volunteers.
Each run is held weekly – see the website www.greatrunlocal.org/runs for details.
