VETERAN runner Sir Christopher Ball should have no problem completing the Great North Run half-marathon to raise funds for an autism charity.

For in 2007, Sir Christopher, from Jericho, Oxford, broke a world long-distance running record by completing the equivalent of 10 marathons in 10 days.

A warden of Keble College from 1980 to 1988, he entered the Guinness Book of World Records, after completing 262 miles in 10 days in the Lake District.

On Sunday, September 19, he will take part in the Great North Run, a 13-mile race between Newcastle and South Shields.

Sir Christopher, 75, of Richmond Road, is hoping to raise several thousand pounds for Autistica, a charity which conducts research into autism.

The father-of-six said: “My son Peter had Asperger’s syndrome and died aged 32 about 10 years ago from epilepsy.

“I am the vice-president of the charity, which carries out important research in this field.

“I only started running at the age of 67. My doctor told me I was suffering from high blood pressure and needed to take up running and eat less.

“I was inspired by Sir Ranulph Fiennes and went on to complete lots of marathons.

“I can’t guarantee finishing with a great time in the Great North Run but as I am a marathon man I know I will be able to complete the distance.”

Sir Christopher completed seven marathons in seven days in 2004, running the length of the Thames from its source in Gloucestershire to Tower Bridge in a week.

He added: “My wife Wendy has always been very supportive and when I completed seven marathons in seven days she was waiting at Tower Bridge for me with a bottle of champagne.

“I have never taken part in the Great North Run before so I am looking forward to visiting the North East.

“A month after the Great North Run, I will be taking part in the London Parks Marathon.”

The Bupa Great North Run, which started in 1981, is the world’s biggest half-marathon and more than 54,000 runners, including Radio One DJ Scott Mills, are expected to take part this year.

Henley-based Autistica seeks to use biomedical research to bring benefits to individuals and families affected by autism disorders.

According to the charity, autism is one of the most significant but least researched developmental disorders and Autistica has set itself the task of achieving major breakthroughs within 10 years.

Also taking part in the Great North Run are Chris and Tracy Barrett, pictured right, from Marcham.

In February last year, Mr Barrett, a business consultant for Nat West, donated one of his kidneys to his wife on the eve of Valentine’s Day.

Eleven years to the day since they first met, Mr Barrett, then 39, underwent a four-hour operation to remove one his kidneys before it was transferred to Tracy, then 42, who had suffered with polycystic kidneys for more than two years.

Mr Barrett said: “The running club Abingdon Amblers has helped us build up to the distance and we are both looking forward to taking part in the Great North Run.

“I am raising money for the Oxford Transplant Centre at the Churchill Hospital and Tracy is raising money for Kidney Research UK.”

He added they hoped to raise £1,500 between them, and that Ideal Eyes opticians in Botley had already donated £100, Manor Estates landscape gardeners, in Buckinghamshire, £100 and the Royal Bank of Scotland £250.