Paul Van Beek and, in the background, fellow Amherst teaching staff (back row, left to right) Sarah Collenette, Vicki Travers, Tracey Moore and Helen Foote with trainer Diane Lawrence and, front row, left to right, June Legg, Julia Gibson and Cat Teasdale. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0587912)

A BASKETBALL-BOUNCING runner has challenged his fellow Amherst teachers to beat him in this month’s Healthspan half-marathon.

Teaching assistant Paul Van Beek will attempt to run the 13.1-mile race while simultaneously bouncing two basketballs and still beat a group of female teachers who call themselves the Amherst All Sorts.

‘People make a lot of fuss when they see me dribbling basketballs and running at the same time and it just feels so great to get that response,’ said the island basketball player of seven years. I’ve never had so much support from a Jersey person as when I ran with the ball over there. They were yelling, “go on basketball man, you’re the coolest”. It was amazing.’

He said his colleagues and running opponents were less impressed. Teacher June Legg said: ‘If I manage to catch him during the race, I’ll throw his balls in the sea.’