SPEEDY shop worker Joe Mewes is ready to clock up his tenth half marathon, without any training.

Mr Mewes, who is running the 23rd Liberata Redcar Half Marathon to raise funds for the town's lifeboat, is aiming to finish the race in under 90 minutes.

He began fun-running in 1996 and has run six Cumbrian Half Marathons and three Great North Runs, but Redcar will be his seaside debut.

Mr Mewes, who works for Morrisons in Darlington, said: "I don't do any training, but I'm confident I can finish in around one hour, 25 minutes. I've just moved to Teesside and I'm looking forward to the event. I usually do it for a good cause, too, and I'm picking the Redcar lifeboat."

There is not much time now for entrants to get their forms in for the run, on Sunday, March 13. More than 1,000 runners usually take part, coming from as far away as Aberdeen.

Last year, Redcar champion athlete Tanni Grey Thompson regained her championship status when she won the wheelchair final.

Since then she has become a dame, after striking gold once again at the recent Paralympics.

This year, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and its partner Liberata will issue a microchipped wristband to each runner to record their precise time when they finish the run.

Hundreds of people are expected to watch the event, which starts at 10.30am from Redcar Leisure Centre, in Majuba Road. Last year, the men's race was won by Terry Wall from Morpeth, Northumberland, and the women's race was won by Bernadette Taylor, from Darlington.

Postal entries must be returned by Monday, February 28. The event, for both serious and fun runners, incorporates the North-East Championships.

Entry is £11.50 for club runners and £12.50 for unattached. Each runner completing the course will receive a T-shirt and medal.

For more information and an entry form, please call Redcar and Cleveland Council's events team on (01642) 471503. Details are also posted on the council's web site at www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk