An ultra marathon man from Frodsham ran 200 miles coast to coast with just 10 hours sleep in the name of charity.

Gareth Boyd, 44, took on the GB Ultra race from Southport in the West to Hornsea in the East and placed an impressive sixth.

Only 10 runners managed to even finish the incredibly tough challenge which took on the Trans-Pennine Trail.

Gareth managed the course in just over three days, coming in before the 82-hour mark, with just three short sleep breaks.

His wife Karen is not the only one who thinks her husband is mad.

Gareth Boyd on the beach at Hornsea after completing the GB Ultra

Gareth said: “It was emotional, very, very emotional. The last 10 or 15 miles were really difficult.

“But there is a great community and camaraderie around running ultras, I have lots of great memories and made a lot of new friends.

“27 applied for the race, 24 of those made it to the start line and only 10 of those actually finished.

“There are only a few people crazy enough to do it.”

Gareth, a member of Helsby Running Club, thinks he actually ran closer to 220 miles due to getting lost a few times closer to the East coast.

The first stint saw him not stop for 120 of those miles and 28 hours, by the time he went down for a nap he said he was ‘close to breaking point’. He said the winner managed the 200 miles with just 30 minutes of sleep.

Gareth chose the Everton in The Community fund after seeing it in action through his work as director at Adele Carr recruitment.

Frodsham's Gareth Boyd (right) alongside fellow competitors in the 200 mile GB Ultra challenge

The 44-year-old, who has already raised more than £1,000, said his motivation came from the love of a challenge.

He said: “I’m quite stubborn. I don’t like quitting and I think that drives me on.

“On the run itself you’ve just got to keep focused. I try not to think about it.

“I will keep muttering to myself not to stop and to keep going.”

Gareth said his next challenges would be dropping back down the distances, but trying to improve his times in the half marathon and 40-mile events.

To donate to his fundraising page visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RunningtheGBUltra2016.

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