A SELF-confessed long distance running novice who paced a mammoth 90 miles along Hadrian’s Wall for a charity has described the track as “sheer hell.”

Paul Edwards, who said he had never run more than 10km in his life, started running at 10am on Monday, September 10 from Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria before reaching Walls End in Newcastle at 3.10pm on Thursday, September 13.

The Army Air Corps veteran rose to the challenge in aid of the Museum of Army Flying’s heritage project, which is in need of £100,000.

The 62-year-old has currently raised half of his £10,000 target for the Middle Wallop site which is undergoing restoration and improvement works for its showcase of military and aviation history.

Paul said: “The trail is very much a walking route and proved brutal to run along. Apart from the very first and last parts of the trail it is cross country over open fields, often with livestock and dry, stone walls, going through gates or over ladders.

“The hardest part was the central section as the ground continued to undulate through a climb of more than a thousand feet.

“It was wonderful scenery and full of historical significance but sheer hell to run over steep slopes of rocks and grass.

“Luckily, I had an incredible support team comprising my two daughters and son.”

Paul was also grateful to Westover Jaguar Land Rover military sales who loaned the runner a Land Rover Discovery Sport for his support vehicle, and Marlene Smith from Andover and Tidworth Physio who gave him a free session to help his recovery.

Paul added: “I hope more people will donate before I close the JustGiving page, because the Museum of Army Flying is very much a community asset for Andover as well as preserving the heritage of army aviation and being a focal point for veterans.”

The retired colonel is making a swift recovery since the obstacle course, and his fundraising page will close on October 13.

Paul is a member of the museum’s fundraising committee.

For more information and to donate, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/paul-edwards-runs-hadrians-wall.