A SOUTHAMPTON runner has completed a 100 mile ultra marathon in his own back garden.

Gareth Allen took on the nearly 29 hour challenge at his Bassett home on what would have been the London Marathon and ABP Southampton Marathon dates.

“Well that was an interesting 28hrs 44mins and 14 seconds, 3912 laps and 100.023 miles,” he said.

“At the end I was broken, both physically and mentally. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. The constant turns, the lack of being able to get into a stride, the massive energy crash at 73 miles made this weekend seriously tough.

“A big thank you to everyone who bunged a few scarce notes towards the charities I’m supporting.”

The 47-year-old father of three had originally planned to complete 12 100 mile runs in 2020.

But the emergence of the Covid-19 virus put IT manager Gareth’s plans in jeopardy, so he decided to complete a more gruelling challenge, including a back garden marathon last month.

Gareth’s efforts have so far raised more than £3,000 for local charities Great Oaks School and the Hurricanes Rugby Club, both of which help children with learning difficulties, including Gareth’s son.

He's aiming to raise £10,000 to be split between the two.

Great Oaks School is a 230 place secondary school in Southampton for young people with a range of complex learning difficulties.

Based at Eastleigh RFC and running since 2008, the Hurricanes is a rugby club for children and adults with learning difficulties. It has around 20 members ranging from seven to 27 years old.

Donate at gofundme.com/f/gareths-1200miles-in-12-months