Backwards running race attracts 150 competitors - video

The UK's third backwards running race attracted 150 competitors last Sunday.

Held in Manchester, the championship was won for a second successive year by Garret Doherty, who beat his own record time by completing the mile in 6 minutes, 57 seconds.



Doherty, 33, told The Sun after his win: "I'm thrilled that I managed to keep my title, and I'm chuffed to bits that I've beaten my personal best time. I'm hoping to get it down even further by next year though."

Meanwhile, promoting the competitive phenomena of backwards running, he said: "It's truly liberating, and there are enormous health benefits. It's much better for your body than running forwards, as it's lower impact.

"You burn three times as many calories running backwards as running forwards, as it uses a lot more muscles."

Doherty added: "People usually have to do a double take when they see me whizzing past when I'm training.

"I'm always getting passers-by shouting at me, telling me I'm going the wrong way. But who says I'm going the wrong way and everyone else is going the right way?"