Hartlepool mega-runner steps up his latest challenge this weekend

Ultra-fit Lee Dodgson is back on the charity trail - and his bid to back a Hartlepool hospice will be stepped up this weekend.
Lee completes his 2015 mission.Lee completes his 2015 mission.
Lee completes his 2015 mission.

The man who once ran seven marathons in seven days is now planning to run from Land’s End to John O’Groats from May 14 but this time he will have a fellow runner for company.

He will be running 52 miles each day to raise funds for Alice House Hospice in Hartlepool with John Hewitson.

Lee Dodgson (far left) and John Hewitson with Pools players at their Durham training ground.Lee Dodgson (far left) and John Hewitson with Pools players at their Durham training ground.
Lee Dodgson (far left) and John Hewitson with Pools players at their Durham training ground.
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To prepare for it, he will be at Hartlepool Rugby Club’s fixture against Horden at Mayfield Park this Saturday.

And while the rugby teams battle it out on the pitch, Lee will be running non-stop around the pitch for the duration of the match. Everyone at the game can guess how many metres he has run, for £2 a guess, and the winner will get a prize of beer tokens.

There will also be raffles and other highlights at Mayfield Park, such as the teams warming up in Alice House colours.

And it is all part of Lee’s preparation for his May mega challenge which he is doing with John Hewitson, Hartlepool United’s academy manager.

Lee, front right, on his 2015 mission of seven marathons in seven days.Lee, front right, on his 2015 mission of seven marathons in seven days.
Lee, front right, on his 2015 mission of seven marathons in seven days.
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Former firefighter Lee, who is now working as a production technician, is no stranger to mega challenges. In 2015 he ran seven marathons in a week to raise £20,000 for the hospice.

But this time, he’s hoping - along with John - to raise £40,000.

Lee said: “We will be doing two marathons a day and we are training well over 100 miles a week. You are never going to be able to fully prepare your body for it. You just try to get somewhere close and keep going.”

They will be running for at least nine hours a day and will be on their feet for something like 11 hours a day.

Lee Dodgson (far left) and John Hewitson with Pools players at their Durham training ground.Lee Dodgson (far left) and John Hewitson with Pools players at their Durham training ground.
Lee Dodgson (far left) and John Hewitson with Pools players at their Durham training ground.
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John, meanwhile, is a regular runner but it is the first time he’s taken on such a challenge.

He said: “It is going to be difficult which is why I wanted to do it. I wanted to do something to really push myself. The training is tough as well and it is the sacrifice you make with training in all weathers. It is hard but it is about doing something worthwhile for the hospice.”

Any donations would be welcome. Just visit the website https://give.everydayhero.com/uk/lejog17