A week after launching The Ales Way, one of Wharfedale Brewery’s shareholders is to run the length of Wharfedale’s Ale Trail to raise awareness and money for Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue, whilst calling in at all 15 pubs on the 35 mile trek en route.

Mark Selby, 52 from Burley in Wharfedale, ran the 84 mile long Dales Way from Ilkley to Windermere in 1999 in just 24 hours and has been training for several days for his latest challenge which will see him start at the George Inn at Hubberholme at noon on Saturday and finish at the Flying Duck Brewpub in Church Street, Ilkley around 8pm that evening.

The Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association has been assisting people and animals from the caves and fells around Wharfedale, Nidderdale, Littondale and Mid-Airedale for over 60 years; operating entirely on a volunteer driven basis.

Mark told the Ilkley Gazette: "As one of the partners in Wharfedale Brewery, it is a privilege to not only find our beer in any one of the 15 landmark pubs on the Ales Way, but also to have their support for this event in helping raise money for Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue.

"All walkers and runners should support what is a very worthwhile cause, as one day we may need them.”

Pictured with a glass of Wharfedale Blonde, Mark is planning a number of repeat runs to revisit the pubs on the ale trail in the coming weeks whilst enjoying the odd pint of his favourite tipple and in doing so collect the 10 stamps he needs to claim The Ales Way souvenir t-shirt he is holding aloft.

“Whilst I consider our beers to have isotonic qualities which can re-energise the body, I’m not sure I could do it all in one go,” joked the Environmental Health Consultant.

People wishing to sponsor Mark can make donations via collecting tins at any of the pubs along the route or online at www.justgiving.com/thealesway. To see where he aims to be and when visit www.facebook.com/thealesway.