PHYSIOTHERAPIST Steve Hope is recovering from the effects of taking on the biggest challenge of his life.

Retired distance runner Steve, from Knutsford, ran 75 miles in just 17 hours along the Wales Coastal Path.

Steve, 47, a member of Knutsford Hockey Club, was unable to walk for 24 hours because of the toll the gruelling event took on his body.

Knutsford Guardian:

Steve Hope

He finished in eighth place from the more than 100 runners who took part, many of who failed to finish, and was delighted to have raised £1,720 in sponsorship for Parkinson’s Disease UK in the process.

Knutsford Guardian:

Checking kit and water at the 52-miles checkpoint

Steve has worked with people with Parkinson’s Disease as an NHS physiotherapist, and was inspired to support the charity by his friend, mentor and former coach Bud Baldaro, who has the condition.

Steve raised the money by running the Pen Llyn Ultra Marathon, 75 miles around the coastal path of the Llyn Peninsula.

He said: “We started at 5am from Abererch and then ran through checkpoints at Abersoch, Rhiw Mountain, Aberdaron, Porth Colman, Ty Coch Pub and Nant Gwythern, to finish within 24 hours back at Abererch Sands.

“We climbed 1,800 metres in the process, the equivalent of going up Snowdon twice, and traversed some beautiful, brutal and challenging underfoot terrain.

Knutsford Guardian:

Steve taking part in the 2000 Wilmslow Half Marathon

“I finished in eighth place on general classification, running 17 hours 39 minutes 55 seconds.

“It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I couldn't walk for 24 hours - my hip flexors still hadn’t forgiven me eight days later.

“But It was all worth it, because so far £1,720 has been raised in sponsorship for Parkinson's Disease UK.

“Thank you to everyone who so generously contributed, in order to reduce ours and our children's chances of suffering this debilitating long-term degenerative condition.

“Through your generosity my justgiving page was in the top five per cent of money raised in June.

“Parkinson’s Disease is one of the neurological long-term conditions that as an NHS physiotherapist I've treated for nearly 30 years now.

Knutsford Guardian:

Steve at the finish at Abererch Sands

“It's a disease which has enormous effects on those diagnosed and their families.

“Unfortunately as our generation and our children's generation continue to live longer it is such long-term degenerative conditions which will become more prevalent, and research can only progress with funds.”

Knutsford Guardian:

Steve on a training run for the challenge

Steve came second in the Wilmslow Half Marathon in 2000, his last competitive race before retiring, in a time of 64.50, and trained for the Ultramarathon for 12 months.

Anyone who would like to support him can visit justgiving.com/fundraising/stevehope72

Knutsford Guardian:

Runners prepare to set off at 5am