REGULAR spectators at the Sheffield Half Marathon will be used to seeing superhero Spiderman among the runners.
But what they won’t know is that behind the iconic mask in James Hartley, the Managing Director of Serrations Ltd, the company that makes parts for surgical instruments.
And when this year’s half marathon was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, James decided that the running would continue - just without the distinctive outfit.
First of all James completed his own half marathon route and then, buoyed by the success of that venture, he set out to complete a run around the block at his Ecclesall home, completing 44 circuits to bring himself up to the full half marathon distance.
And his efforts, supported by friends and neighbours, have already raised more than £300 for St Luke's.
“As a near neighbour of St Luke’s I have always known about the great work they do,” said 47-year-old James.
“We all know people who have been patients at St Luke’s too and know what a fabulous organisation it is.
“I know that the hospice needs to fundraise to keep on going so I just wanted to try and do something.
“I’ve run the half marathon for the past four or five years dressed as Spiderman so it made sense to simply run the same distance myself and I put a message our on our neighbour WhatsApp group and posted on Facebook and people started to make donations.”