A YORK pensioner who is waiting for two hip operations has decided that a ‘bit of pain’ isn’t going to stop him launching a new marathon - or ‘palathon’ - to raise money for the city’s food banks.

Former maths teacher John Bibby, 75, of Heworth, says he is planning to ‘hobble’ around his garden 100 times at 11am today and then each day for the next 26 days.

He said he had calculated that 100 circuits of the garden was approximately equal to a mile, and so he would have completed a marathon distance of 26 miles, 385 yards by April 27, while also keeping fit in the process.

John, who lives in Straylands Grove, said he was hoping the idea would catch on and others would also take part in similar palathons across the city and further afield to raise money for their chosen good causes.

He said friends and contacts across the country had already said they were planning to do the same sort of thing, and he would probably persuade his wife Shirley to join him each day.

He said that for those without gardens, the palathon could form part of their permitted daily exercise, for example while taking a walk around their neighbourhood, although it was crucial they obeyed social distancing rules at all times.

“Join in!” he said. “Get your family to join you. Keep your social distance! Keep up your distance!”

He said he had set up a Zoom account so that people taking part could be in contact with each other on their phones or tablets while doing the palathon, and this was available by going to tinyurl.com/YorkPalathon or https://us04web.zoom.us/j/574354592

John, who is a prominent member of York Bus Forum, said he suffered arthritis and rheumatism in his hips and he had been due to undergo surgery in the next couple of months, but this had now been postponed as the NHS geared up to cope with the coronavirus.

He said the exercise provided would be good for him, and he would put up with a ‘bit of pain’ it would cause.

*John said arrangements as to how donations could be made to the food banks were still being finalised,and so anyone wanting to sponsor him should email him on yorkpalathon@gmail.com.