Two charitable Dads ran from Macclesfield to Manchester, breaking speed and fundraising records.

Personal Trainer Matthew Rigby (36) and Web and App developer Tom Yates (40) ran the River Bollin from Riverside Park in Tytherington, to the Manchester Ship Canal in Partington.

The 24.3 miles (39 kilometres) Bollin Valley Way route was conducted in accordance with coronavirus guidelines.

The duo initially hoped to raise £1,000 for a Macclesfield autism charity, but have since raised £3,041 through the crowdfunding website JustGiving.

Matt and Tom achieved the fastest known time for the route, hitting four hours, 12 minutes and 49 seconds.

"When we said we were doing it for charity, we both pushed ourselves to do well," said father-of-four Matt.

"We didn't want to do it in five or six hours, and the walking time is ten hours.

"We set a good time [four hours] and the money coming in gave us a good push and motivation to meet that time."

Matt has been doing charity runs with since 2012, and Tom aims to do many more in the future. The funds are to be distributed by Macclesfield & District Lions Club.

The two averaged running a mile every 10 minutes and 23 seconds.

"If it wasn't for charity, I would still do it again to get a quicker time as we messed up, added father-of-two Tom.

"We had a few navigational errors and I had to do a Paula Radlcliffe moment twice.

"I knew Matt wanted to get a good time and I knew I didn't want to let him down but I over-prepared in the morning by taking laxatives.

"But we were lucky as it had been raining a few days before, but the mud had dried out. It was perfect running conditions."

Tom and Matt, who live on Macc's Upton Priory and Eastgate respectively, are already planning their next charity runs for the summer.

Their run to South-West Manchester included passing the Cheshire Quarry Bank Mill at Styal, and spotting deer in Prestbury.

"Going under the Manchester Airport runway was pretty cool - it was probably the best bit," said personal trainer Matt, who worked at Tesco during the first lockdown.

"Runway 2 at has the biggest tunnel you have ever seen in your life - it was the height of a cathedral. It was awesome." Tom added.

"My advice would be just sign up for something. So then you have to do it - because you're raising all that money and you won't wimp out."

Mr Rigby, whose clients include providing outdoor fitness classes for Cheshire East Council, chose Space4Autism as their cause, in support of a family member who uses the service.

The charity, founded in 2005 on Mill Lane, provides support and opportunities to children and young people with autism.

Space4Autism co-founder and CEO Cheryl Simpson MBE is is grateful for the pair's fundraising success: "We cannot thank Matt and Tom enough for what they have achieved, the huge amount raised will buy our garden furniture ready for the opening of Angie's Sensory Garden, we would also like to thank everyone who has donated as look forward to welcoming our members back into the centre very soon."

The pair have opened up a new crowdfunding prize draw, to thank the public for their support. It can be accessed here.

You sign up with Macc personal trainer Matt via his Rundamentalist website.