A WOMAN from Hawkshaw has turned herself from an overweight couch potato into a record-breaking long distance runner -- at the age of 65.

Marie Caldwell is now a role model for pensioners, and her entertaining story has been turned into a fund-raising book to help local charities.

As a child in Salford, she hated sport so much she carried an elastic bandage to pop on to avoid athletics.

"I was always an overweight child and I became an overweight adult," she said at her Bolton Road home.

She trained as a teacher at Sedgley Park College and she met husband Eddie, a PE teacher.

Four children later, Marie was 12 stone at the age of 45. She didn't exercise and watched with admiration as Eddie ran in the first Bolton Marathon.

He suggested she start running, "but the first time we went out running I was terrible," she said.

That first quick "run" was, however, the first of many and soon the whole family was enjoying the sport. So much so that they all joined Bolton Harriers. "But I was still a fun runner," said Marie. "I was just grateful that I could run as I approached 50."

She took part in several marathons, always in a reasonable time. But as Marie's 53rd birthday approached, Eddie suggested a longer race.

"He thought that perhaps my strength was not in running faster but further. So he suggested a race coming up at Stanley Park, Blackpool. I didn't know just what it was, but I thought I'd give it a go."

It was, in fact, a 24-hour race, and Marie was one of of the few women taking part. But Eddie was right -- the distance suited Marie's determined style.

She completed 84 miles in the time, running through the night, and was only beaten to the British record by a woman who did 90 miles.

Since then, she has set many ultra-distance records -- anything over a marathon. At the same time she notched up a clutch of accolades, including Bury Woman of the Year.

As well as her fund-raising work for Arthritis Research, Bury Hospice and Age Concern, she takes keep-fit classes and gives talks.

And the advice she would give to anyone over 40 thinking of taking up running?

"Take it slowly, walk quickly at first and build up to running. and don't give up. You really can do it."

"It's Never Too Late!" by Marie Caldwell costs £5 and is available from the Northern Institute of Massage, 14-16 St Mary's Place, Bury, tel 0161-797-1800.

Marie looks nothing like her age, with clear skin, an enviably trim figure and a winning smile. She keeps her dark auburn hair prettily styled, and always wears a dash of lipstick and mascara when she's running.

"I wore awful brown flared trousers -- no tracksuit, of course -- with a big, long-sleeved Courtelle top and beach shoes.

Then, she was asked to be put in a Harriers' women's veteran team for the national cross-country championships.

"I definitely didn't think I was up to that, but if I didn't go they couldn't make up the team. So I went with all these good club runners, and came in second to last. I just wanted to hide at the end."

But, it was a start., and the couple settled into married life with Marie a dab hand in the kitchen "and I always ate my efforts! She works with weights every morning, trains at a gym twice a week and tries to run about 100 miles a week. Her dress size has dropped from size 16 to 10, and her weight is now around nine stone.

"I checked that none of the neighbours were watching, then ran like mad out of the estate before collapsing in a heap around the corner."