Bolton's 'father of fitness' to take on epic challenge to mark landmark birthday

Yahoo

28-06-2025

A Bolton man who pioneered the fitness industry in the UK is spending his 90th birthday this summer facing a fitness challenge to raise charity cash.
Ken Heathcote, who started Bolton Health Studio in the 1950s which became a blueprint for gyms across the country, is taking part in the Not Out at 90 Challenge.
On July 18, he and his grandson Sam will be swimming 90 lengths of Bolton's Nuffield gym before going to Elton reservoir in Bury to swim a further 90 lengths in open water.
On a separate day, Sam, who lives in London, will also be lifting 90,000 lb and playing nine sets of tennis.
These are all to boost the charities involved: Cancer Research, The Stroke Association and Alzheimer's Research UK.
There are also around 30 challenges being taken up by local people keen to back Ken's birthday fundraising efforts.
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Ken and Sam are carrying on a family tradition of extreme sporting achievement which goes back more than five decades and has raised thousands and thousands for charities.
In 1970 Ken ran a marathon between Preston and Morecambe with around 30 competitors and no drinks stands. He tackled all kinds of personal challenges on his milestone birthdays, all aided by his late wife Brenda.
(Image: NQ)
Ken even ran from John o' Groats in Scotland to Lands End for charity – a feat which was filmed and made into a TV programme.
Just before his 84th birthday, Ken triumphed in the Great North Swim, tackling the 5k length of Lake Windermere among 10,000 swimmers.
He still swims 90 lengths daily and insists that his positive mindset 'ego and desire to help others' keeps him going.
Farnworth-born Ken attributes his own fitness and determination to his father, who first took him swimming – even when the local pool's heating system broke down and the water plummeted to just a couple of degrees.
'He told me 'just do one length' and that one led to another and another. I've used that principle ever since,' he explained.
His commitment to raising money for charity began when he was a young bricklayer working at the Christe Hospital and he was sent to fetch some water.
'I wandered onto a ward and there were all these children – from around six to 15 year-olds – all without hair,' he recalled.
'The matron told me they were all suffering from leukaemia and having chemotherapy and that none of the boys would reach 21. I had no idea. It really opened my eyes.
'Ever since, I've wanted to raise money, initially for the children – I can still see them now - and then for other causes.'
Follow Ken and Sam's journey on Instagram and TikTok @Notoutat90