A MARATHON man from Dover will swap his running shoes for a golf putter later this month as he heads off to Hastings to take part in the 2007 Virgin Money World Crazy Golf Championships.

Paul Hayes will fly the flag for Great Britain as he battles it out against more than 100 competitors from as far afield as Finland and the Czech Republic at the championships which are now in their fifth year.

The event takes place on October 27 and 28.

Keen runner Paul, 40, took up crazy golf two years ago after being inspired by a television documentary on current World Champion, Tim ‘Ace Man’ Davies. “I’ve been running for the past 15 years and wanted a new challenge that was easier on my joints and muscles!” he said.

“I came 63rd at my first attempt last year, but it doesn’t bother me that I’m not very good at it. The challenge is to get better and see my improvement - and I like to be part of big events.”

Entrants this year will tackle 36 tricky holes over the two-day tournament, but they’ll have to beat ‘Ace Man’ for a share of the £3,000 prize money.

The tournament favourite is looking to bag five consecutive trophies since winning the inaugural challenge in 2003.

Paul, who lives at Tower Hamlets, will also face stiff competition from Olivia Prokopova, the 12-year-old crazy golf sensation from the Czech Republic.

Olivia, who beat some of the world’s top players to clinch third spot in 2003, took up the game aged just three, and now plays professionally all over the world - complete with her own entourage.