Pasty man leading in extreme race

Bob Brown is running the equivalent of two full marathons every day

A man from Cornwall who is running a 3,100 mile race across the United States has taken the lead in the event.

Bob Brown, 35, from Stoke Climsland, is the only UK athlete taking part in Run Across America 2004 and now has a six-hour advantage over his rivals.

The runners have left California, after battling temperatures of 43.5C as they crossed the Mojave Desert.

He is running well over the classic marathon distance each day and has kept going with the help of Cornish pasties.

'Stronger each day'

The teacher is eating the county's traditional snack to keep up his strength for his punishing schedule.

Cornish firm Ginsters has shipped out supplies to Mr Brown - who needs to consume 10,000 calories a day.

"I am feeling stronger each day," said the 35-year-old teacher, who has completed nine days of the race from California to New York.

Mr Brown, who turned to ultra-distance running because he found marathons too short, is aiming to raise money for the charity Country Holidays for Inner City Kids (Chicks) from his trek.

Born in Bushey, Hertfordshire, and a former Shaftesbury Harrier, he has already travelled the world to take part in extreme races.

Three years ago he completed a challenge of greater distance, the 3,250-mile Trans-Australia Footrace, running from the west to the east coast.