Charity chief on his marks for 50-mile ultramarathon

Andy Clow, chief executive of the Wakefield-based Youth Association, is also trying to raise awareness of the hard times facing youth work charities.

The 45-year-old will run the Rowbotham’s Round Rotherham Race, an event organised by Rotherham Harriers athletic club which is regarded as one of the toughest ultramarathons in the country.

Although he has been running for over 15 years, it is the first time he has attempted this distance.

“I’ve been preparing for this race for six months and I’ve been past 30 miles in training. Thinking about how hard that was, I can’t imagine what I’ll feel like after 50 miles,” he said.

“I’ve run round the whole course in stages now, so I’m hoping I won’t get lost. I wouldn’t want to add any more miles by going the wrong way.”

The Youth Association, founded in 1904, delivers youth work across West and South Yorkshire.

Like many charities, it has suffered because of government cuts.

Andy said: “Last year was one of the toughest in our long history and we had to make a lot of good youth workers redundant.

“David Cameron says that charities like ours are vital if we want to give local kids help and hope, but he doesn’t seem to realise how many charities are going to the wall because of the cuts.”

Anyone who would like to sponsor him can go to visit www.justgiving.com/Plot28.

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