Party Lines

The Journal, Jun 8 2005
By Zoe Hughes

Training has been the hot topic of discussion among politicians and their followers in the North-East this week - especially the need for some to get into a serious training routine sooner rather than later.

Sunderland metric martyr Neil Herron kicked it all off at the weekend when he took part in a regional triathlon with only one week's preparation behind him. Completing the 800m swim, 20km bike ride and 6km run in just under two hours, he admitted he was glad to have finished the race at all after pulling his hamstring while out campaigning against the EU Constitution.

Limping to the finish lane, he said afterwards it was amazing what beer and bravado could do for a man, adding: "I think this is going to be followed by three weeks of rest and recuperation." He was joined though by Hartlepool MP Iain Wright who, as The Journal has previously revealed, has agreed to do the Great North Run for a local charity.

With the general election out of the way, Mr Wright said this week there was little excuse for him to avoid starting a training regime to get him into shape for the big day - and was beginning by giving up alcohol.

Explaining his action plan, the MP was immediately complimented by colleagues on his apparent loss of weight to which he merely grinned: "It's the corsets."