A CHESTER hairdresser is planning to take an unusual route in a fundraising marathon for a special charity that is close to his heart.

Coyle Roberts's 26.2-mile challenge will be run over 14.5 circuits of the City Walls.

Coyle, 55, said: “I have run and walked the city walls on many occasions from a young boy to a man, and sometimes with my wife Paula in the early years.

“I don’t think there would be a better way to raise awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) than to run a marathon within our beautiful historic and stunning city, with its amazing landmarks”.

Coyle has been a familiar face in the Chester running scene for decades, having competed in the very first Chester Half Marathon in 1982 which he has run virtually every year since.

Two years ago, Coyle cut hair for 24 hours in his City Road gent’s hairdressing shop, raising nearly £8,000 for scientific research into MND.

Coyle added: “I will be running with my two daughters, Sam and Mel and sons-in-law Jon and Paul and some great friends. My two grandchildren, Austin, 10 and Harriet, seven will also be involved.

“The undulations of the walls as well as the six sets of steps and bridges are not to be taken lightly. This is our biggest challenge yet from a physical, mental and emotional point of view”.

Coyle will be running clockwise around the City Walls on Sunday, April 4, starting at 8am from the Bonewaldesthorne’s Tower near to the Queen's School with the finishing being at Chester Groves by the river.

He added: “I’m knocking on a bit now and I suspect this will be my last full marathon so I can’t think of a better way to bow out.”