From Great Bake Off to Great Run

FORMER Great Irish Bake Off contestant Neil Reid, from Glasnevin, will be swapping cupcakes for kilometres when he takes part in the Great Ireland Run on April 9.

Reid, who was contestant on the 2015 Great Irish Bake Off, has struggled with his weight since the conclusion of the show but has already lost 11 pounds since the start of this year.

The father-of-one has made some major alterations to his diet and is building nicely as he approaches the 10km run in the Phoenix Park.

“I’m down around 11 pounds since Christmas so yeah, it’s been a considerable drop,” Reid told Northside People.

“You feel better not only aesthetically, but you fit into your clothes, it’s easier to get up and run around, you just have more energy.

“But sure look a lot of it came down to diet. Obviously the exercise helps but the hard work is in the eating and not in the running.

“For someone who bakes an awful lot, and who has a lot of sugar in their diet, it’s difficult turning that stuff down, but it’s worth it.”

Reid has reduced his intake of cupcakes to just one a week as he tries to balance work, college and family commitments.

The DCU graduate works a sedentary job in marketing that naturally limits his exercise during the day, so he tries to run on his lunch break.

“My route is up to the Point and around to the Aviva so it’s about six or seven kilometres,” he said.

“I started building up the distance and once I got that, you build up the speed so it’s getting there. I still have five weeks to go and I’m confident enough.

“My personal best for a 10km was 40 minutes 40 seconds, but if I don’t give myself a target I’ll never hit it. I don’t think personally I’ll get the 40 minutes, but if I get 41 or 42 minutes I’ll be over the moon.”

The Great Ireland Run has a 5km, a 10km and mini and junior runs for kids. To sign up, visit greatirelandrun.org.