Yorkshire law student becomes youngest to run 40 consecutive marathons in 40 different countries

Angus Read, 22, began in 30C (86F) heat in Moldova in August and ended in hospital with exhaustion when he completed his journey on Saturday (Dec 13).

The former law student came up with the epic endurance challenge - which saw him run more than 1,000 miles in just over 100 days - as a way to see Europe after finishing university back in June.

After starting in the blistering summer heat in Moldova, his travels saw him move through Eastern Europe and into Scandinavia.

He also completed runs along the French coast into Monaco as well as enduring sub-zero temperatures in Iceland, staying in hostels along the way.

And despite suffering a knee injury around half way through, Angus defied the odds and was able to complete his challenge this weekend in London - making him the youngest person ever to run 40 consecutive marathons.

He spent on average two to three days in each country and ran each marathon in around four-and-a-half hours, raising more than £11,000 for Cancer Research UK along the way.

Angus, from Warwick, was able to achieve the Herculean feat despite admitting he did little training for it and "sort of made it up as he went along."

He said: "I feel incredibly happy but also absolutely exhausted. I'm just glad I was able to prove to myself I was able to do it as after the first few marathons I did begin to wonder whether I was physically up to it.

"But the longer it went on the more my confidence grew and I just kept going. I had only ran two marathons before and was probably a little bit unprepared but you just kind of figure it out.

"The most difficult marathon was the last one in London at the weekend because I ended up in A&E afterwards. I hadn't been well the night before with sickness and diarrhoea and I felt really unwell all the way through.

"But naturally in the typical English way after completing the challenge- we went to the pub to celebrate. After a couple of drinks my body pretty much shut down and I had to go to hospital.

"I was diagnosed with severe fatigue and dehydration and was given antibiotics and was on two drips. So it wasn't the ideal way to spend my Saturday night celebrating but I feel OK now.

"It has all been worthwhile - I've been to so many countries that I wasn't planning on going to like Estonia and I've met some brilliant people. "

Angus said other than his final marathon, the 26 mile runs in hot climates proved the most challenging to endure.

He added: "The first eight to ten marathons were in 30 degree heat as it was still summer and those were very gruelling. The colder climates are easier to run in although my only sub zero marathon in Iceland was a challenge.

"I think the most picturesque marathon I did was running along the French coast into Monaco - that was beautiful. It has been an amazing way to see so many incredible countries. I really enjoyed Sarajevo in Bosnia too.

"Running is such a good way to explore all these places and visit these cities."

Angus said he had been looking to do something before going into full-time work after completing his law degree at Leeds University.

He saved up enough money by working in retail and a tennis coach alongside his studies in order to fund his trip.

He added: "It all stemmed from me wanting to go solo travelling and I had saved up a fair bit while working while I studied. I soon realised I'd be away for months so came up with his crazy challenge for me to do along the way.

"It combined my love of running and exploring and I thought I'd do it for a good cause. I hadn't really dieted or trained in any way and around marathons 23 and 24 my knee started to give me grief.

"So I had to run the rest in a knee strap. I've had pains in pretty much every part of my legs, I had loads of different niggles and tweaks "I'll be putting my feet up for a few weeks now that is for sure."

Angus now plans to take a few months off to recuperate before going to look for work in the sports industry in the new year.

List of countries Angus ran a marathon in: 1. Moldova 2. Romania 3. Bulgaria 4. Greece 5. North Macedonia 6. Albania 7. Montenegro 8. Serbia 9. Bosnia 10. Croatia 11. Slovenia 12. Hungary 13. Slovakia 14. Czcechia 15. Poland 16. Lithuania 17. Latvia 18. Estonia 19. Finland 20. Sweden 21. Norway 22. Denmark 23. Iceland 24. Netherlands 25. Belgium 26. Luxembourg 27. France 28. Monaco 29. Switzerland 30. Lichenstein 31. Austria 32. Italy 33. San Marino 34. Malta 35. Portugal 36. Spain 37. Andorra 38. Germany 39. Ireland 40. UK.