HAVE you ever run nearly 500 kilometres in just one month?

For most people, the answer would be no. But a maths teacher from Salisbury is very close to achieving that to raise money for charity.

Jamie Biggs, 33, has been running since the start of July, each day doing the number of kilometres matching the date.

He started on July 1 doing 1km and will be finishing on July 31 doing 31km.

He said: "One of my friends suggested it and I said I will give it a go.

"I started doing a bit of running in March when I had a bit more time and my friend mentioned it at the end of June so three days after I started."

Although it was initially quite easy, with each passing day runs get longer and the challenge tougher.

"It's a lot harder than I thought. You get a false sense of security and then halfway-through it hits you and you're like 'what have I done?'"

"I'm walking around with very stiff legs."

Earlier this week, on July 21, the father-of-one, who lives on Pullman Drive, completed what, up until then, was his longest run ever. 

Keeping him motivated ahead of the even longer runs that are to come is the support from friends and family, who often run or cycle with him, and the good cause he's raising money for.

"I'm doing it for Macmillan. My granddad died of bowel cancer a long time ago and my wife's mum also had blood cancer but she's since recovered.

"During lockdown no-one's been able to get checked up so it's going to need a bit of support."

So far, Jamie has raised nearly £940. He's hoping as many people as possible will support him during the hardest part of the challenge.

His friend Doug Malcolm said: "[Jamie] has never run further than 21.1km in one run and he’s currently part way through doing 10 of those.

"He’s a very humble guy and won’t stress it but he’s doing an amazing job and we are all extremely proud of him."

Anyone who would like to donate can do so via his JustGiving page