A NEWBURY man is hoping to smash his personal best when he runs his final Great North Run this year.
John Edwards, aged 60, will be taking part in the world-renowned race for the 19th time this September.
The newly installed chairman of Shaw-cum-Donnington parish council, who lives in Donnington with his wife Jane, will also be raising money for the Castle School.
The retired teacher, who was once a supply teacher at the school in Donnington, hopes to break the two hour barrier when he takes part in the world’s biggest half marathon this time around.
Mr Edwards first took part in the race, which is now in its 26th year, in 1984 and so far has clocked a best time of 2 hours and 1 minute.
The money raised by Mr Edwards will be used to help improve the grounds at the Castle School, as part of its ‘School Grounds Project’.
Graham Page, bursar at the school said: “John has been running the race for a while now and this is his last year and so he has offered to use it to raise money for the school.
“People are very generous and doing various things to raise money for the school, which is very nice.”
Mr Page added that the money would go towards a total target of £50,000, of which half has already been raised.
The money will fund projects such as outdoor classrooms for the summer and wheelchair access around the grounds.
The school is also hoping to add play and sensory equipment and a sensory maze with wheelchair access, which will all be linked by a pathway.
Work on the first phase of the School Grounds Project, an activity park, is due to begin at the end of this month.