University Student from Warwick set to become youngest person to run 40 consecutive marathons
Angus Read, who's 22, is on the final stretch of his epic endurance challenge for Cancer Research UK
A university student is set to become the youngest person to run 40 consecutive marathons.
Angus Read, 22, is on the final stretch of his epic endurance challenge for Cancer Research UK, which would see him complete marathons in 40 different European nations in the space of four months.
Mr Read, from Warwick, said the charity is close to his family and friends, and embarked on the journey unaware that he could break a world record.
He said he had twice run the Leeds Marathon but confessed he did little in terms of preparation for the challenge.
Mr Read said: "You've just kind of got to throw yourself into the deep end and then figure it out as you go along.
"At the start I was a bit underprepared. I hadn't trained or dieted as well as I should have so I was a bit undercooked.
"Somehow, though, my legs feel better now than they did a month ago.
"I think it's quite amazing how quickly your body adapts to the stress you put it under."
Mr Read said that on some marathons the circuit was fully planned, while some routes unfurled as they were run.
His travels included runs along the coast of Monaco and in sub-zero Icelandic temperatures as he ticked off 40 of the 44 UN-recognised European countries, averaging one marathon every three days.
Speaking to the Press Association while travelling from Dublin to London, the location of the final leg, Mr Read said the ending of his "crazy" journey is a bitter-sweet one.
He said: "It's mixed emotions. I've enjoyed so much of it, Budapest and Nice being highlights, but there's some parts I also haven't enjoyed, like living out of a massive suitcase for four months.
"I'm happy about not having to put my legs through so much physical pain the whole time and seeing family and friends."
After his London run, Mr Read will be recognised by Guinness World Records as the youngest person to complete 40 marathons consecutively.
Mr Read's fundraiser has crossed his initial £10,000 target and he hopes he can raise "even more" as the challenge comes to a close.