An Olympian seal of approval for Albert

A former miner who has become the public face of a major new healthinitiative has been given an Olympian seal of approval.

​Albert Ellis, 62, of Horden, near Peterlee, is the veteran of over 20 Great North Runs and countless other events and is supporting the Run East Durham project hosted by the East Durham Trust.
​Olympic marathon star Aly Dixon presented Mr. Ellis with a medal at a special launch of the project.

​It is aimed at engaging 500 people in an attempt to increase levels of physical activity, with fun runs in former east Durham pit villages.

​Trust chief executive Malcolm Fallow: "Albert is an absolute inspiration to us all. Only weeks after this year's Great North Run, he is happy to pull on his trainers in support of the project.

​"The project is not about creating the next Mo Farah or Paula Radcliffe - it's just about getting people up and about and Albert is the perfect role model."

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