Runner dashes up Chesterfield Canal and back in under 24 hours - dressed as Scooby Doo

David Smith took on the monster challenge to raise cash for the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s 2027 appeal.

Just to make it more interesting, he decided to run dressed as cartoon character Scooby Doo.

David, who is a life member of the canal trust and a local pharmacist, began his journey at 2.40pm on Saturday, August 29.

He ran all 46 miles to West Stockwith on the River Trent, arriving just after 1am.

He then turned round and ran straight back to Chesterfield, arriving at 1.46pm.

David covered 94.7 miles in 23 hours and six minutes. He burnt 8,657 calories and took 185,367 steps.

He said: “Huge thank you to everyone who has donated.

"It really helped when I was tired, in pain and struggling to keep going that the run was making a difference.

"I had a great time despite bramble hacking through Renishaw, crawling under fallen trees at Kiveton Park, tripping in the dark at Retford, getting lost at Drakeholes and having constant wet feet thanks to the rain.

"But it was so worth it.

"We have a great canal and it needs restoring and maintaining so everyone can enjoy its delights for many years to come.”

The trust’s stated aim is to complete the restoration of the Chesterfield Canal by 2027, which will be the 250th anniversary of its opening.

There remains just over eight miles of restoration still to be completed.