Thirty-three-year-old Bob caught the running bug earlier this year and has found it is an ideal sport for him as he can fit it in around his busy lifestyle.

"For me the best thing about running is that it is exercise I can do when I like," he told Chad this week.

"I like to catch up on the radio or put stuff on my MP3 player and just get out and go.

"It's something you can do on your own, but there is also a social side to it. There are lots of running clubs and even if you're not a member you tend to see the same faces at races and you get to know people that way."

And family man Bob is not the only member of the Truswell clan to have been racking up the miles.

Bob's wife Ruth and their 10-year-old daughter have also been getting involved and the whole family took part in a recent event at Bestwood Country Park.

Says Bob: "The Shape Up Notts! website has been a big help as it converts your activity into points. We do it as a family and my main aim is to do better than my wife.

"It's also interesting to see what other people are doing and gives you that motivation to keep up with the training so you don't slip down the leader board."

Bob has already lost two stone in weight and completed half marathons in Mansfield, Nottingham and Worksop.

"My best time was one hour and 55 minutes and that was actually in my first race. To start with my aim was just to get round, but now I want to beat my times and hopefully next year I can build up to a full marathon."

And Bob has also used his new hobby to help other people when he raised £120 for charity Asthma UK as a tribute to his uncle who died shortly after Bob took up running.