IF YOU thought a marathon was a long distance run spare a thought for Cirencester's former Stroud AC runner Richard Hurdle who has just completed an 184-mile race from the Thames Barrier at Greenwich to the source of the Thames near Cirencester.

Richard set off at 10am on a Friday morning with 80 other ultra runners but by the finish all but 18 had dropped out of the gruelling event. Richard finished a brilliant fourth out of the survivors, crossing the line in just under 59 hours.

He had to carry all his food, drink and equipment needed throughout the run and navigate his route alongside the Thames, his only support coming from wife Hayley and a few club colleagues encouraging him at various points.