AN overweight dad who loves his beer, is running as far as he can during Dry January in aid of Alcohol Concern.

Scott Seaborn’s decision not only to banish the booze but also to run 10k every day this month, was also inspired by his wife Clare’s mission to promote the health benefits of targeted exercise, following a severe injury to her lower back.

A marathon runner and self-confessed sports nut, Clare was devastated when her doctor advised her that she would never run again due to her injuries.

Determined not to accept defeat, she did some research herself and found one way to stop the constant pain was to strengthen her core and all the other muscles that could take over the support of her upper body.

After 18 months of training through the pain, she is back running triathlons again.

Keen to spread the message, she has started a new career as a personal trainer as well as completing a specialist postural assessment and corrective exercise course to help others plagued by debilitating back pain to improve their lifestyles.

News of Scott’s dry run challenge has already spread. He set out to raise £100 but beat that in the first three days and doubled his target figure and looks set to double that agin.

“I’ve had two people say they’ve been inspired,” said.Scott, from Haslemere. “One is running every two days, the other sent me a note to say they went out for a jog last night. In Haslemere I get people beeping me in their cars because they are following my progress.

“I am an unfit, overweight, drinking dad. By day nine, I’d had no beer and done 55 miles. Basically its like a marathon every day for me. Not being a runner and being pretty much addicted to drinking daily beer on the London commuter train its been hard, but its getting easier each day now.

“There are two reasons for this challenge. The first is to support Dry January for Alcohol Concern and cut down on my booze intake. I realised that I need to do something to break the cycle. The second is to promote my wife’s new business – she is on a mission. Clare was the inspiration, totally.”

• Make a donation at www.justgiving.com/scott seaborn/ and follow his progress at www.facebook.com/scott. seaborn.3