DESPITE suffering from advanced lung and liver cancer an athlete celebrated his 74th birthday by competing in this year’s Tees Pride 10k race.

Fred Beauchamp has completed more than 200 ‘parkruns’ and is a regular at the popular 5k event in Middlesbrough’s Albert Park.

The former seaman and keen cyclist, runner and swimmer has continued to be physically active despite his illness, even running the Edinburgh Half Marathon in May.

At the Tees Pride 10k race Mr Beauchamp was the official starter for the Willmott Dixon 3k Fun Run, and joined BBC Tees host Ali Brownlee on stage present the prizes

He has completed 229 parkruns since April, 2009 and has his sights set on hitting the 250 milestone.

His commitment and enthusiasm has encouraged many of the parkrunners to improve their fitness through cross training by doing regular cycling, and swimming, and his informal Tuesday morning ‘Patter Club’ meeting at Albert park Lakeside café is a popular fixture with older runners.

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon attended a recent Albert Park run to present Mr Beauchamp with an award in on behalf of the Albert Parkrun and the Patter Club in recognition of his tireless commitment and contribution to the life of the town.

“Middlesbrough has developed a deserved reputation for hosting some of the best running events in the region, but those events are nothing without the people who make them happen,” Mr Mallon said.

“Fred has literally gone the extra mile through his participation and support, and it is only right that his contribution to health and well-being in Middlesbrough should be recognised by the town as a whole.”