A RESCUE dog that used to run with a triathlon athlete has found a new training partner in a rescue centre volunteer.

Army officer Jan Pilgrim is to run two marathons within a week to raise money for Border Collie Rescue, which has its headquarters in Richmond. Especially as her training programme has involved running with one of the rescue centre’s four-legged inhabitants.

Lt Col Pilgrim had always harboured an ambition to own her own border collie, but felt her life as an army officer was not compatible with owning a dog. So she decided to help as a regular volunteer at the Border Collie Rescue Assessment and Rehabilitation Centre near York.

There she came across a dog called Mollie, who once belonged to a tri-athlete and missed going on daily long runs. Her former owner had fallen ill with cancer and developed immunity problems to pets following chemotherapy.

But now Lt Col Pilgrim takes the inexhaustible collie jogging with her - an arrangement which suits both of them.

On Sunday, October 9 she will run the Kielder Marathon around the reservoir in Northumberland and a second with the army at Abingdon, Oxfordshire on October 16.

Mollie will be cheering on her companion from the rescue centre. But the army officer plans to be dressed in the black and white colours of her favourite breed of dog, complete with a photograph of Mollie on her t-shirt.

Lt Col Pilgrim, an army nursing officer based at Strensall, York, said: “You cannot help but admire this breed of dog for their energy, loyalty and tenacity.”

The centre at Stanford Bridge in North Yorkshire re-habiliates and re-homes unwanted sheepdogs and collies.

Nicki Oliver, national co-ordinator for Border Collie Rescue, said: "Jan’s energy and stamina as an athlete has helped us in exercising some of the more energetic dogs.

“She has been of particular benefit to one dog, Mollie, whose previous owner is a tri-athlete and took Mollie out daily on long runs. Mollie misses these routines and really looks forward to Jan’s visits.

“Neither of them seems to be able to wear the other out but they both benefit and seem very happy after an hour or so running together."

To contact the centre telephone 0845 604 4941 between 2pm and 5pm weekdays or to sponsor Lt Col Pilgrim visit: bordercollierescue.org