A SENIOR firefighter is going to run the Robin Hood Half Marathon.

John Buckley, Notts' Assistant Chief Fire Officer, has been a marshal at the event for eight years on behalf of the Fire Fighters Charity.

But it is the charity's last year as an official charity of the race so John has decided to put on his running shoes.

The 40-year-old said: "I decided to do it because it's the final year we are an official charity and also I've just turned 40 so it's a bit of a fitness thing."

As a senior marshal, John faced the challenge of recruiting 20 people to help ensure the safety of runners.

Now he is pounding the streets in the early morning to make sure he can get round the 13-mile course within his target of two hours and 15 minutes.

He said: "I'm running five times a week and eight miles a session.

"It's been very difficult fitting it in around work. I've been going on 6am runs, which wakes me up for the day but leaves me more tired in the evenings."

Despite the gruelling regime, John, from Langley Mill, said he planned to carry on running once the race, which is his first, was over.

He said: "I've always done a little bit of running but not much for a couple of years.

"I started training in April and I've felt lots better since. I feel like I've got more energy and I'm healthier."

With his experience, John has a better idea than most first-time runners of what to expect from the day.

He said: "It's a buzzing day. It's a big event and there's a lot of support there for the runners from their families.

"There's quite a sense of occasion. There's nerves from the runners trying to set times and the ones just doing it for the fun.

"We'll be marshalling around a quarter of the course so I'll have support most of the way around."

John hopes to raise hundreds of pounds in sponsorship for the charity, which supports firefighters and their families and helps those injured in the line of duty.

The race is on Sunday, September 13.

sarah.firth@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk