It's the way the punning papers tell them.... But Marathon Minister Jason Askew from Wooler has got himself in the news again with the "proud to be one of life's losers" headline. But it's all in good cause as he launches into an intensive programme of training for the London Marathon on April 23rd.
As he emailed his friend and supporters,
"I know I said that last year was a one off but you know there are still children out there who have no clean running water. We just turn the tap on and it's there. We are even prepared to pay for it to be bottled and shipped over from France, but these kids are dying because they do not have the luxury we have, so . . . here we go again.
"If you think that it is going to be easy for me this time having done it once, then ask my family and friends who have to put up with me sweating all over the place, bad moods because of dieting, and moaning about the pain in my legs! But you know it is worth it, because I have you lot behind me and I have the children of Africa before me."
It hardly sounds like the laments of one of life's losers - but the piece in the Northumberland Gazette makes clear that Jason does know all about losing weight. He weighed eighteen stone before he started running two years ago - but by the time he reached the end of the 26 mile course last April (in 4 hours 34 minutes) he was down to less than thirteen. And according to Jason, that was after spending 35 years of his life doing nothing!
He now trains four times a week, either on his own or with Wooler Running Club, and is currently covering 40 miles a week - and taking about three ice baths! He says that club members keep him going and he also receives great support from his sons, Troy, 14, and 12-year-old Zachary, and his wife Linda.
You can help Jason support Christian Aid by sponsoring him on his secure website - http://www.justgiving.com/JasonAskew