EVEN ironmen have their weaknesses.

That’s why David Elliott – who has been running a marathon every day for the last nine days – stopped off for a pint half a mile from home.

David, from Upper Cumberworth, is expected to reach the Galpharm Stadium today completing his 260-mile run from Yeovil in aid of Huddersfield Town’s Yorkshire Air Ambulance appeal.

Yesterday 40-year-old David was less than a mile from home when temptation guided him into his local – The Sovereign at Shepley – for a pint.

And his friends, who spurred David on at the top of Holme Moss, were waiting for him in the pub.

And a pint was just the ticket for David, whose has struggled through physical and mental anguish for the last nine days.

Dozens of Town fans took the gruelling Pedal For Pounds charity challenge by cycling 260 miles from Yeovil to the Galpharm Stadium in time for today’s match.

But hardcore David, who owns camper van conversion firm Wellhouse Leisure, in Shepley, decided to run it.

And so far he’s raised £4,000.

The dad-of-three, who has won the Kirklees Young Business Person of the Year in the Examiner Business Awards, said: “My thigh and calves are bound up. There’s a hole in my foot and I’ve no idea where that came from. I think my blood is pure Lucozade!

“It’s the biggest and only challenge of that size that I will take part in.

“I should be able to do the last 13 miles. I’ve no idea how I’ve managed it so far. I think I’ve surprised a few people.” David says the worst moment was on Monday when excruciating pain in his thigh forced him to retire to his support van.

But several painkillers and a smearing of Deep Heat later, David was up and running.

The best moment, David says, was ascending Holme Moss and later reaching his local pub.

“Having 10 days without a drink is nine-and-a-half days too many for me,’’ he said.

“Running up Holme Moss and seeing the view of Huddersfield and finding my friends up there spurring me on was pretty special.”

The 280 cyclists pounding the Pedal For Pounds route reached Sheffield last night ready for the final stretch to the Galpharm Stadium and a lap of honour before kick-off against Yeovil at 3pm today.

Graham Brown from Holmfirth said: “If people think the Midlands are flat they’re wrong. It’s been a hilly route and we’ve felt to be riding against a headwind for most of the day.

“I’m in Purple Team and they have been brilliant waiting for riders falling behind and encouraging them along.’’

Anyone wanting to sponsor David should go to www.justgiving.com/ytfc2htfc.

Last year David raised £20,000 for Dreams Come True children’s charity.