A Manchester student is lacing up his trainers for an ambitious new running challenge, aiming to set a personal best while raising vital funds for a local children's hospice.
From YouTube to the Parkrun: A Runner's Journey
Ollie Drieu, a 21-year-old final year film student at Manchester Metropolitan University, has set himself the formidable target of running 10 kilometres in less than 40 minutes. His journey into running was documented publicly when he launched a YouTube channel in December 2024, starting with just a handful of subscribers.
"I started my channel because I wanted to force myself to learn and accomplish new things," Ollie explained. "It’s often easy to give up on new challenges, but when I publicly say I’m going to learn something, I feel obligated to give it my best shot!"
His engaging videos, which chart the trials and triumphs of his training, have since attracted a dedicated following of more than 2,000 subscribers. After 332 days and 135 videos, he celebrated a major milestone: smashing a sub-20-minute 5k goal at the South Manchester parkrun in Platts Field Park with a time of 19 minutes and 39 seconds. The video of that achievement garnered almost 8,500 views.
A New Goal with a Charitable Heart
Originally from Jersey and now living in Fallowfield, Ollie regularly runs past Francis House Children’s Hospice in Didsbury. For his next challenge, he has decided to combine his athletic ambition with fundraising for the hospice, which provides essential care for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
"Francis House is a local charity to me in Manchester," Ollie said. "Knowing I’m running for an important cause gives me perspective. Having to go on a run in the rain is nothing compared to the challenges the children and their families face."
To achieve his new 10k goal, he will need to shave almost two minutes off his current personal best, requiring him to run each kilometre in four minutes or less. He has booked a race at Heaton Park in Manchester on February 8, 2026, as his target event, estimating he could break the 40-minute barrier by then.
"Hopefully this challenge will not be as hard as the last one," Ollie commented. "With my sub-20 5K, I didn’t have the foundations that I have now. Shaving two minutes off a run seems simple, but in practice that’s going to be a lot of discomfort."
Supporting Greater Manchester Families
Francis House Children’s Hospice supports more than 435 families across Greater Manchester, offering respite care, emotional support, end-of-life care, and bereavement support. It costs £5.8 million a year to run, with the majority of funding coming from charitable donations.
Patrick Storey, fundraising officer at Francis House, said: "We’re delighted that Ollie has chosen to support Francis House on his running journey! We really appreciate his commitment, and we’re looking forward to seeing him smash his challenges while raising vital funds."
Ollie's training regime will involve running five to six days a week, incorporating interval training, sprints, longer runs, and strength work. Supporters can follow his progress and contribute to his fundraising efforts via his JustGiving page.
