Coronavirus: Man runs 'Hull 10km' in armour for charity

Mike Manders, who is a keen medieval re-enactor, donned the armour for his 10km challenge

A man has completed a 10km run in a five-stone suit of armour - the same amount of weight he recently lost - to raise money for a children's charity.

Mike Manders, 34, had entered the Hull 10km race but as it was postponed, decided to do it at home instead.

The father-of-six set a treadmill up in his garden in Acland Street, Hull, to finish the challenge in 1hr 38mins.

He wants to raise £1,000 for Action for Children, supporting underprivileged children and their families.

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Mr Manders, who works for Hull Trains, is a keen medieval re-enactor in his spare time.

He decided to complete the 10km in the armour on Sunday, the day it was due to take place, after a friend told him to "go big or go home".

He said: "I thought, knights protect the innocents and what better way than to wear a suit of armour?

"I read through the story behind Action For Children and what they do and it really touched close to home.

"I thought 'Why not do something that can help underprivileged children and their families, especially at this time at the moment where they're struggling?'"

The father-of-six was showered with confetti by his children at the end of his 10km

Mr Manders took up running last year, when he weighed 18st 10lbs.

He said: "I wanted to be there for my children in the future so I needed to get in shape so I started running.

"Up to now I've lost five stone and the armour is pretty much the same weight as what I've lost, it weighs 5st 3lbs, so it's a good inspiration.

"It also shows my children that if you put your mind to anything, you can do it."

Neighbours gathered round to cheer him on - at a safe distance - and his children showered him with confetti as he finished.

Mr Manders said he felt "great" afterwards, despite some rubbing on his foot and feeling "sweaty" in the sunny, 12C weather.

He planned to celebrate with "a nice pot of stew and a beer" and added he was now looking forward to completing the rearranged Hull 10K and the Great North Run in armour later in the year.