RADCLIFFE AC's newest member Ian Hopkinson hopes to inspire other diabetes sufferers to turn their lives around.

Diagnosed with diabetes last October, when he weighed more than 20 stone, Hopkinson looked a picture of health after running his first official 10k on Saturday.

The vet-40 took up running as part of his physical training, combining it with sorting out his nutrition, after finding he had Type 2 diabetes.

He was delighted with his time of 1hr 4mins 12secs in the Welsh RunFest event in Rhyl and now has his eye on a few more races.

Hopkinson said: "I have lost more than five stone and have reversed the diabetes.

"I started running in February and struggled to do 1.5 miles.

"I built it up and started the 5k parkruns in March.

"I love running so much I wanted to join a club and chose Radcliffe. If my story can inspire anyone else to change their lives it would make me very happy."

Rob Lister had a busy day on Saturday when he ran two events in the Lake District.

In the 5k Penrith Parkrun he clocked 22:38secs and in the Whinlatter Forest 10k came home with a time of 1:2:30.

Members will be out in force on Sunday taking part in the popular Joan Rhodes and Fred Norris Memorial 5k race, which will incorporate the Northern Masters Championships.

Organised by 75-year-old club member Jim Rhodes in memory of his wife Joan and former club member Fred Norris, it will run along the trails of Radcliffe and start and finish at the Cams Lane track.

Starting at 11am, registration will be at the track and the presentation will be held in St Philips Community Centre in Higher Dean Street.

Entry is £3 for club runners, £5 for unattached and £1 extra on the day. All proceeds go to St Ann's Hospice.