Top tips for college boss from students

A college principal has turned to his students for advice as he prepares to tackle two running challenges for a charity close to his heart.

Sports students from Barnsley College are giving tips to their principal, Chris Webb, as he prepares to tackle the Great North 10k and the Great North Run to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

Mr Webb has lost two close family members to cancer and is keen to support research efforts into the disease.

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The Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science students, Natalie Butterfield, Matthew Pinder and Saffron Smith, met with Mr Webb to discuss his training programme ahead of the testing double challenge.

The trio advised Mr Webb on which exercises will get him into shape for the runs, what he should eat and drink, and ways in which he can stay motivated during his training.

The college’s Sports Academy Assistant Director Neil Johnson, who is preparing to run his 12th consecutive London Marathon, also passed on the benefit of his experience at tackling long-distance runs.

Mr Webb selected Cancer Research UK as his chosen charity because, although his mother beat breast cancer over 20 years ago, he lost his older sister Janette to brain cancer 13 years ago and father to stomach cancer last December.

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The principal said: “It was really useful to get advice from the students on key aspects of my training such as adjusting to running outside rather than on a treadmill, the best diet to follow and keeping motivated to train.

“The students were very knowledgeable and gave me some excellent tips and information which I am going to implement into my training plan.

“I can’t imagine how hard it is for someone to battle cancer, so completing these challenges is the best way for me to support a charity which is so close to my heart.”