LAST year the Manchester Evening News and sister TV station, Channel M set out to find six contenders to join a new year fitness challenge with the goal of completing the BUPA Great Manchester Run in May.

Carmel Thomason meets our six winners as they prepare to get ready for a fitter 2007.

IT'S four months until the BUPA Manchester 10k Run and in that time the MEN along with sister TV station, Channel M are hoping to help change the lives of our six competition winners.

Keith Clarke, Andrew Cave, Richard Rawsthorne, Rebecca Whelan, Libby Swindells and Kayliegh Mozer were among many who responded to our challenge in December to find six people to get fit for 2007.

Their aim is to complete the BUPA Great Manchester Run on May 20th.

Inspiration

They were inspired by the story of Charlie Walduck, the bingo caller from Failsworth, who transformed his life from being house-bound at 50 stones little over two years ago to last year running the London Marathon.

Charlie's story is one of hope and by example the 38-year-old continues to encourage others towards a fitter lifestyle.

To many his goals seemed impossible but after stepping out of his front door for the first time in months and walking round the block Charlie kept on dreaming.

He made a list of all the fitness goals he wanted to achieve and top of it was within a year to complete the BUPA Greater Manchester Run.

Ambition

éI remember watching the Manchester 10k on TV and thinking, I'm going to do that next year,'é he recalls.

éOf course, everyone probably laughed, but the thought of being able to do the run, crossing the finishing line and getting the medal kept me going. I was determined.é

Following his lead, our successful entrants will be coached by a team of experts to help them reach their own personal fitness goals, with the run being a focus to aim for.

Joining them is Channel M anchorman Andy Crane, who is hoping to get fitter while raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Care, a charity close to his heart.

éMy mum died of cancer when she was 43.

I'm 43 next month, I was 19 when she died and I remember she got great care in Hope Hospital é everyone doesn't get that, so I thought it would be good to support an organisation that supports great care in a time of great need.é

Role model

Although a bit apprehensive, Andy knows that there is no going back on the challenge now and he'll be meeting up with our group to get some training tips of his own.

éI've not done much running in the past so I know I'll have to start training,é he adds.

éI think it's great to have a goal such as run on a particular day because I can't put it off saying I'll do it tomorrow, next week or next month.

We've all pledged to do it and we've all got the same goal so I'm hoping we'll all pull together as a team and go for it.é

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