FEARLESS reporter Dan Keel is attempting a 13-mile run after just three weeks of training - instead of the recommended four months.

The morbidly unfit salad-dodging daredevil risks insulting the event and all those who take exercise seriously by racing in the Greenwich Run To The Beat half-marathon on October 5.

Baring in mind people usually put in months of training for such a feat, and that Dan recently injured his back 'getting out of bed too quickly' - he is risking life and limb for charity and the dignity of his newspaper.

Dan despises fitness freaks, gym bunnies and meat heads.

He wants to prove that ordinary people who fear working out and live on junk-food diets can achieve their dreams.

He hates Daley Thompson and throws pizza at the TV the minute Steve Redgrave shows his mug.

This dare is for all the readers out there who have only ever seen a six-pack in the fridge, and who bleed gravy when they get cut.

Having said that, Dan is raising money for the charity, Greenwich Starting Blocks, which provides bursaries for talented young athletes in the build up to the London Olympic games.

Special motivational music will be played throughout the race to help spur-on Dan and the 10,000 other runners as they pass the O2 arena, Greenwich Park and the Woolwich Barracks.

Dan is taking on a series of daring challenges for the entertainment of Shopper readers in a new feature called Dan Dares.

He is currently trying to find five other Dan Keels to meet for a beer and a burger in London. So far no one has agreed to meet him! So please send him your ideas by emailing dkeel@london.newsquest.co.uk.

To watch dan failing his first challenge, visit newsshopper.co.uk/news/dandares or read his blog at newsshopper.co.uk/news/blog