Grandad's marathon chess game

AS if running a marathon at the age of 69 was not hard enough, David Levens has decided to set himself an even bigger challenge.

The great-grandad plans to run the Robin Hood marathon while playing six games of chess over his mobile phone.

David is president of the Notts Chess Association and is taking on the challenge to counter rumours that chess players are nerds.

He said: "It's just something different. I was thinking of ways to raise awareness about chess. It gets no publicity because it's not classified as a sport, but it's very popular.

"I'm doing it to raise money for the Leprosy Mission, but particularly to make people aware that chess players are not all geeks!

"Chess is always portrayed as being played by intellectuals but it's a young man's game just like sports."

David, from Langley Mill, who coaches chess and athletics, will combine both sports in his double challenge on September 14. While running the Robin Hood marathon, he will play six top county chess juniors, holding each game in his memory as he runs.

He added: "It's going to be difficult because I've actually got to keep the games in my head.

"I'm going to run slowly at the back and play the six games. Hopefully, I will finish them in about two or two and a half hours – then I will start running properly."

Talking about his young competitors, he said: "I probably won't manage to beat them! It's certainly not going to be easy."

The coach has trained several youngsters in Notts, who have gone on to play for the England chess squad.

He has been playing chess since he was ten and has run 22 marathons.

David hopes to raise £1,000 for the charity Leprosy Mission.

samantha.hughes@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk