A STUDENT is planning to pound the streets of the Great North Run dressed as a black dog to raise awareness of depression.

Peter Tennant, of Durham City, who has suffered with depression, has made the oversized costume himself and will don it as he runs the Tyneside half-marathon this Sunday (September 7) in aid of the mental health charity Mind.

Mr Tennant, a 30-year-old PhD student at Newcastle University, has never run so far before and said he used to be “quite unfit”.

He has made his costume, the black dog being a symbol of depression, as light as possible and hopes to finish the course in less than two hours and 30 minutes.

“As long as I can get round and have fun, I don’t really mind about the time,” he said.

“We don’t celebrate the bravery and strength of people who go through mental health problems. I thought maybe it was time to round that around.”

To sponsor Mr Tennant, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/blackdogrunner or text PFTH70 followed by ‘£’ and your donation to 70070.

Follow his progress at blackdogrunner.wordpress.com or twitter.com/bdogrunner