Somerset man set to run 140 miles non-stop

By Rebecca Cafe
BBC Somerset

John ran 110 miles from north Devon to Bristol in 30 hours in 2009

A man from Somerset is getting ready to undertake an epic feat - running 140 miles cross country non stop.

John Reynolds, 48, said he was aiming to run from Plymouth to his home town of Radstock in 37 hours.

In 2009, he successfully ran for 30 hours straight between children's hospices in north Devon and Bristol.

John, who started running as a way of getting fit after he completed radiotherapy treatment, said children at the hospice inspired him to run.

"At times when I'm running I get fed up but then I feel selfish when I look at it that way.

"I then think to myself that I'm lucky with what I'm doing and I think about the money [he's raised] going to help the children so it makes it all worthwhile."

Muscle seizures

John started running six years ago after he completed his treatment for a thyroid condition.

While worrying about his future, he noticed children and young families were having the same treatment so he thought "what have I got to worry about?"

A few months afterwards, despairing at not being able to walk without medication, John rebelled against his doctors and stopped taking his medication and began to take up exercise.

After successfully walking to the end of the garden and back, John began pushing himself further each day. Within a month he could walk a mile, then a half marathon and so on until the present day.

"It was just so painful to do anything; to physically walk - even to get out of bed in the morning. It was so painful, it didn't matter what I did, my whole body went into spasm because of the radiotherapy."

John found when he exercised, the pain disappeared but when he stopped, the muscle seizures returned.

"I'm really, really stubborn. I won't let this thing beat me so I keep running."

He said his family cannot believe he runs so far now, as when he gets home he can hardly move due to the pain.

Portion of chips

Last year John ran from Children Hospice South West's centre in Fremington, near Barnstaple, to their second centre in Wraxall. He completed the 110 mile trek in 30 hours.

John consumes food and drink while running - sandwiches have to be without the crusts and flapjacks and cakes are a favourite. He even had someone tap him on the shoulder offering a portion of chips to keep him going.

Although there aren't many extreme runners in the world, John has picked up one tip from comedian Eddie Izzard who completed 43 marathons in 51 days for Sport Relief - to drink Guinness while running for an energy boost.

Dr Richard Winsley, a senior lecturer of physiology at Exeter University said seeing as John was training gradually, this amount of extreme exercise would have little effect on his body.

Jane Powell, community fundraiser for Children's Hospice South West said John was an inspiration and that he had raised £24,000 last year alone.

This year John hopes to equal or better that amount which would then be put towards building a new children's hospice in Cornwall.

And the future? John aims to continue pushing his body, setting himself further running goals. He would also love to coach others.

But for now, John is focused on his up-coming challenge, and is hoping people will again gather along his route to cheer him on.

"I really want to put a smile across the South West. When there are people cheering, it brings a smiles to everyone and helps me to keep going."

If you want to join John on the run or donate, then visit John's website