RUNNER Dave Eggleton is taking on the Oxford Half Marathon and a hair-raising challenge to raise cash for Helen and Douglas House.

The Didcot 43-year-old, who is a member of the Didcot Wave Joggers, will be joining thousands of others on Sunday, October 13 to run the 13.1-mile course in Oxford.

But before that Mr Eggleton will be waxing his legs, chest and arms at Re:Defined Health and Fitness in Didcot on Saturday at 1.30pm.

He told the Oxford Mail: “This is the second time I am running the Oxford Half Marathon for Helen and Douglas House because I did it last year and I enjoyed it.

“The charity is such a good cause.

“I wanted to run the Oxford half and I thought I would rather do it for a charity.”

Last year Mr Eggleton, a warehouse operator, completed the course in 1hr 55mins 37secs.

This year he hopes to beat this time and raise £250 for charity in the process.

He said: “The route was brilliant and went through beautiful places I have never been to, and I have lived in Oxfordshire all my life.

“Everybody was so supportive on the day. Helen and Douglas House workers were out cheering us along. If I can shave a few seconds off last year’s time I will be happy.”

Helen and Douglas House is the official charity for this year’s Oxford Half Marathon, which is in its third year.

Participants will run through Cowley Mini plant, past the Iffley Road running track and over Magdalen Bridge into the city centre, before continuing through Christ Church Meadow and along part of the Thames Path before they cross the finish line at the Kassam Stadium. Entry costs £31 per participant plus £2 registration fee. Affiliated entry is £29 per participant plus £2 registration fee.

For more information and to enter, visit oxfordhalfmarathon.com

Sponsor Mr Eggleton by visiting my.helenanddouglas.org.uk/personal Page.aspx?registrationID=444206