Pete Davies is a man on a mission.

At the age of 58 he is preparing to run his first half marathon.

And if he successfully completes the Tewkesbury Half Marathon on Sunday 13th May, he has designs on then running a marathon!

Davies has certainly come a long way in a short time having only started running about 18 months ago.

“I wanted to get rid of some weight,” he said, “I was a bit of a lardy boy! I’ve lost some weight but not as much I’d like to.”

When he spoke to The Local Answer he was weighing in at 16-and-a-half stone and the Tewkesbury Running Club member was certainly working hard to shift a few more pounds.

“I didn’t join the club straight away when I started running,” said Davies, who lives in Elmstone Hardwicke. “I did a bit of running on my own at first. I didn’t want to join the club and be at the back… although I am!”

That hasn’t put him off though.

“I’ve done a 10K and a few parkruns,” he said.

And to his credit he’s had to work very hard just to get himself into position on the start line.

“I’ve had quite a few injuries,” he said. “I tore my Achilles, that took some getting over. I’ve also had calf and groin strains but touch wood I’m okay now.”

That’s very good news but as the big day looms, how is Davies feeling about running 13.1 miles in and around Tewkesbury.

“I’m quite excited but nervous at the same time,” he admitted. “First of all I’d just like to get round but if I can do it in under two hours, 30 minutes I’d be a happy bunny.”

And if he does achieve that, Davies will be forever grateful to Tewkesbury Running Club.

“The club have been very good,” he said. “They are a bit like a family. They are very welcoming, very enthusiastic and very supportive.”

Davies admits that he has led “quite a sedentary lifestyle” until now but early retirement has given him the opportunity to devote plenty of time to his new hobby.

“I go out running four times a week and cover about 25 miles,” he said. “I enjoy it, I really do.”

And what about his wife Deb, what does she think of the new love in his life?

“She’s very supportive but she thinks I’m mad,” laughed Davies.

And she’ll think her hubby is even crazier if he goes ahead with his plan to run a marathon.

“I only want to do one marathon,” he insisted. “I’ll probably do it next year. I’d like to do the London but that might be a bit difficult to get into so it will probably be in Birmingham or Cardiff.”

So what’s prompted this desire to run a marathon?

“I’m taking part in The Big Hike in August,” he explained. “It’s a 26.2-mile walk from Monmouth to Chepstow in aid of MacMillan Cancer Research. I reckon if I can walk the distance, I should have a go at running it as well.”

Brave man is Mr Davies, but you certainly wouldn’t bet against him achieving his goals.