WHEN he retired as a Woolworths manager, David Hyde thought he would have plenty of time for his running and cycling interests.

He readily agreed to take over as race director of the Torbay Half Marathon, thinking it would be a doddle.

But he discovered it has taken up a great deal of his time for most of the year.

Mr Hyde, of Dawlish, is now planning his seventh event, and declared: 'It has almost become a full time job – I just had no idea what was involved, but I still love doing it.'

This year he is making a special appeal for more Teignbridge athletes to compete to reach his target of 2,000 runners.

So far the event, which starts and finishes on Paignton seafront on Sunday, June 19, has attracted 700 runners from all over the UK, including 250 from Teignbridge.

'I am encouraged to carry on as race director because of the growing support we receive, and the excellent feedback from the athletes afterwards,' said Mr Hyde, a member of the Teign Valley Hash House Harriers and who managed several Woolworths stores, including those in Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Dawlish.

The charities that will benefit from this year's event are Rowcroft Hospice and Help 4 Heroes. Last year the race raised more than £50,000.

Entry forms are available at sports centres and sports shops, or online at http://www.torbayhalfmarathon.co.uk">www.torbayhalfmarathon.co.uk.