A SEDGLEY marathon runner has been hailed a hero after catching a street robber in Sheffield whilst on an away day with Aston Villa this weekend.

Dave Bytheway, aged 31, gave chase when startled shoppers shouted for help as the robber fled on foot from an old man he had robbed on Saturday.

Super fit Dave, who is currently in training for the Phoenix Challenge when he will be running three marathons back to back, gave chase through the streets of Sheffield finally cornering the thief in an alley.

Dave said: “He threw the stuff he had stole on the floor, then pulled a knife and then he was chasing me!

“It was something like out of Only Fools and Horses and I’m just glad my brother had caught up with me by then and threw a can of strongbow off the thief’s head, which stunned him.”

Dave, who is married with two children, added: “I bet the thief couldn’t believe his luck, first he get’s chased down by a marathon runner and then get’s clobbered by a can of cider thrown by someone who has a better aim than Crocodile Dundee.”

As the two brothers returned the stolen goods to their rightful owner they received a round of applause from shoppers and hailed as heroes.

Dave said: “It was quite a welcome to Sheffield but it proves that my training for the Phoenix challenge is paying off. And alls well that ends well because the Villa won too.”

In April Dave and two friends are running the Taunton, Brighton and London marathons back to back.

Then in May, they are climbing the three biggest peaks in the UK within less than 24 hours.

And then in June, they are running coast to coast, along Hadrian's Wall.

Dave added: “We have been kindly sponsored by Phoenix Health and Safety without who's help and generosity we would be unable to raise the much needed funds for our charities, The Rainbow Trust Children's Charity, Acorns Children's Hospice and The Beacon Centre for the Blind.”

To donate to the Phoenix Challenge visit www.justgiving.com/Phoenix-Challenge.