Livestock farmer Mervin Mullard, of Mainstone, Bishop’s Castle, swapped his wellies for trainers on 11 September when he took on the Great North Run.
He completed the race in two hours and 43 minutes and started it with his niece Lynsey, 43, who he also managed to cross the finish line with.
The South Shropshire NFU member was raising funds for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, RABI, and had a £500 target, which he smashed raising at least £690.
Mervin had to put the brakes on his charity running because of the Covid-19 pandemic but he was back, powered by ‘great British produce’ and said he always relished the challenge although he was a bit disappointed with his time.
“I didn’t run at all during Covid, so training was harder than I thought,” he said.
“Pre-pandemic I think I would have done this half marathon in around two, but I was hoping to finish it in around two hours and 30 minutes.
“Training went well and I stuck to a healthy, balanced diet which included being powered by some great British produce including dairy, eggs and of course beef!”
“As a farmer in this part of the world I have the South Shropshire Hills as my training ground, so I ran the farm and the lanes, from 1,300ft to 1,600ft to get in shape.”
The grandfather currently sits on the county charity’s committee and over the years he has raised thousands of pounds for RABI.
This was his third half marathon, although he has completed a marathon, two triathlons as well as at least four 10km runs over the years.
Last time out, during the 35-mile Montgomery Canal Triathlon, Mervin crashed his bicycle but still managed to complete the course despite being injured.
Mervin’s Just Giving page can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mervin-mullard1 and people can also go to the website and search for him by name if they would like to support him.
His grandchildren cheered him on from a distance while looking after their livestock, his grandson Conan has 500 ewes, while granddaughter Nikita and her husband Tom have 130 cattle.
“After the race we went for a beer and then I went off to Scotland and had a great week, I recovered well and the race did not hamper my walking holiday,” Mervin said.
Edward Garratt, NFU Shropshire county adviser, said: “Mervin is quite the guy, and his charity fundraising efforts are superb.
“RABI really helps those in the farming community, of all ages, who are in need, hardship or distress and we fully support their work!”
Around 60,000 runners took part in The Great North Run and as they crossed Newcastle and headed towards the traditional finish line in South Shields there was a fly-past from The Red Arrows.