Runner hits Wall at 60

2:34pm Thursday 16th August 2007

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A former Preston deputy headteacher is finally set to realise his lifelong ambition of running the Great Wall of China - as part of his 60th birthday present.

Terry Dickenson will spend three days running along sections of the Great Wall before touring other parts of China as part of a special present from his wife Pat.

Terry will jet out to Beijing on March 13 next year, the day before his 61st birthday.

He said: "This trip is a 60th birthday present from Pat and she was insistent I started it before my 61st. It has always been my ambition to run the Great Wall and now I can do it."

Terry, who was born in Liverpool, was deputy headteacher at Tulketh Sports College for 27 years before his retirement last year.

But that hasn't stopped the athletics fanatic who has been pounding the hills around his home village of Wheelton, Chorley, in preparation for the trip.

"You could say I have been in training my whole life but the furthest I have run in one day is marathon length.

"I am looking forward to it although I am not keen at the thought of all the injections you have to have to travel there."

He will be accompanied on his trip by his daughter Tammy, 25, who works as a solicitor in London but is due to be posted to Hong Kong in September.

The pair will visit various cities including Luoyang, Xi'an, Yangshuo - and cruise along the Yangtze River - before finishing in Hong Kong, where Terry is hoping to visit a former pupil, Stephen Cheng.

He said: "My first teaching group at Paddington Comprehensive in Toxteth was a group of 60 Chinese kids.

"I have kept in touch with one of them I am hoping to go and spend some time with him in Hong Kong.."

Since retiring, Terry has started work as promotions officer for Age Concern Lancashire.