A MUCH-LOVED sports supremo has been heralded as a local hero after creating a marathon for children across the world.

George Bunner of Frodsham has developed the World Marathon Challenge to get teenagers fighting fit and making friends on a global scale.

On Wednesday last week, 30 teenagers from Helsby High School took part in the challenge, which saw 30 UK teams running to support Save the Children’s No Child Born to Die campaign.

George has already drawn on the pioneering Sportshall Athletics concept he launched 35 years ago to stage a number of international marathons for UK youngsters to run simultaneously against teams from several other countries.

“But this new venture is a big step forward in enabling even more children to enjoy competition, friendship and cultural exchange, which can do nothing but good,” said George.

“I was very excited when Save the Children said they had been evaluating the programme and asked me to help.

“A lot of good could come out of it and, it could become the largest competition of its kind in the world.”

The children’s charity has so far rallied teams from Spain, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, India, China, Ethiopia, Norway, France, Liberia, Holland and South America to take part in the inaugural relay race, running a full marathon distance in 200-metre stages, passing a baton and attempting to break Haile Gebrselassie’s then-world record time of two hours, three minutes and 59 seconds.

“The response has been amazing,” said George. “We’ve got children in refugee camps in Palestine eager to join in, and one track will even be set up in the middle of the Sahara Desert.”

“But that’s the beauty of this idea. It’s simple and cheap to organise and a lot of children can get involved.

“People in far flung places with very few facilities can join in, as long as they’ve got a bit of open space. We’ve marked out tracks on football fields with cones within minutes and we can work out a linear relay course outside a town hall, if need be.

“In the richer countries, maybe we can use the programme for children to raise sponsorship to help people caught up in some of the dreadful situations around the world.”

Former Frodsham Mayor Brian Llyod heralded the founder of Frodsham Harriers as a ‘true hero’ and praised the runner for his dedication to sport and future generations, saying: “There have been people in my life who are a great inspiration to everyone around them and it would be an understatement to say that George is one of them.

“He had dedicated his life to sport and the community, and this idea really is a credit to a very generous, humble and dedicated man.”