A former Bermuda fitness coach is training Island residents for the annual Bermuda Day Half-Marathon Derby — from thousands of miles away.

Colin Aycliffe, a personal trainer at the Court House Squash and Wellness Gym in Hamilton’s Victoria Street until he returned to England last year, is offering a comprehensive preparation programme for the traditional May 24 race online.

Mr Aycliffe, is now based in Cheshire after five years in Bermuda. He runs a company called Coconut Fitness, which offers online training guidance and coaching.

He is a three-times May 24 competitor, and said the race training programmes are specially-tailored for the Bermuda half-marathon.

And he added his own experience as a half-marathon runner was a key part of the programme.

“The site has been gathering lots of interest and I’ve had a few people sign up already which is promising,” he said.

“The training programmes are personalised for the Bermuda Half-Marathon rather than individual clients.

“It includes specific routes on the Island that I have personally run when I directed the half-marathon running group.”

Mr Aycliffe said that many runners fail to train properly for the big event.

“They go out for a few long runs before the big date and expect to complete a gruelling half-marathon.”

But Mr Aycliffe’s comprehensive online plan — which includes an eight-week schedule which builds up to the big day and advice on proper diet and video exercise lessons — is aimed at gradually building the fitness needed to finish the 13 mile-plus route.

He said: “The programmes are progressive and there are four two-week phases so the clients can work through the exercises in a systematic and safe way, focusing on building stability, then strength and finishing with power.

The programme normally costs $99, but is available for $79 until 9pm Bermuda time on Sunday, March 22.

More information on the programme at www.BermudaMay24.com.