A NEWPORT runner has been given the chance to follow in the footsteps of Britain's 2012 Olympic and Paralympic heroes.

Christopher Slight, 34, of Newport, will take part in The National Lottery Anniversary Run at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on July 21 in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Mr Slight said: "When I was offered the chance to compete in The National Lottery Anniversary Run I was ecstatic.

"I am really looking forward to it, especially as it will bring back the memories of going to the Jubilee concert, and an excellent Olympic summer in 2012."

The Anniversary Run will see 15,000 runners will take part in the five-mile course around the Olympic Park, and ends on the home straight in the Stadium itself.

Mr Slight also took part in the first National Lottery Olympic Park Run last year, completing the race in 35 minutes 26 seconds, but hopes to be even faster this time around.

"I'm really looking forward to taking on the course again, and hopefully beating my previous time, but I have fallen behind on my training so it will be a real challenge," he said.

A National Lottery spokesman said: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to race on the track that the world's elite athletes graced last summer, against a stunning backdrop of venues which Lottery players helped to fund."