A DOCTOR based at The James Cook University Hospital has finished first in the Hull marathon with a personal best of two hours and 35 minutes to raise money for the Teesside Hospice.

Matthew Jones, based at the cardiology department, had only recently taken up long distance running last year, making his recent performance even more impressive. In the 26-mile event he finished first from a field of 819, many of who were experienced club runners.

Dr Jones said: “When I lined up at the start, the elite runners were ahead of me, so I assumed even then I wouldn't race at their pace. But I started steadily, started to move up through the field, took the lead after 14k and never looked back. But it was unreal to enter the final 100 yards at the front and then break the tape in front of a nice crowd.”

The Hull marathon is just one of a number of races that Dr Jones has lined up in the coming months which will be taking him to Scotland, Northern Ireland and China.

However, it is the 150 mile marathon des sables in the Saharan desert that will be his greatest challenge. As well as competing in the desert ultra-marathon he will be using the event as an opportunity to raise money for Teesside Hospice.

Readers can support Matthew via his justgiving page www.justgiving.com/matthewjonesMDS/