A NON-STOP 86-mile trail run was successfully completed by a Dilton Marsh parish councillor who finished the epic challenge with just 20 minutes to spare.

Roared on by his family, a battered, bruised and blistered William Johnson finished the Ridgeway Challenge in the nick of time in 27 hour and 40 minutes, raising nearly £900 for The Brain Tumour Charity in the process.

The 36-year-old began the run at 10am, jogging, and then later hobbling his way, from Ivinghoe Beacon near Tring and ending it at Avebury Stone Circle the following afternoon.

Although the Virgin Media employee was confident he would make it in time when he reached the final check point six miles from the finish, he admitted his time was a little too close for comfort.

“It really was a brutal challenge, climbing 2,000m metres in the scorching heat and pounding along the unforgiving paths was a struggle, especially as I got blisters with 30 miles to go,” he said.

“There is no time for sleep, you just eat and run, or in my case, hobble. Even though I was in pain, this is nothing compared to what people with tumours have to go through.

“I think it puts things nicely in perspective. What they have to go through is so much harder than this, so that spurred me on.

“I am really happy to have raised this amount. I want to thank my family for cheering me on at the checkpoints and all those who donated. My work have said they will double the amount I raised which is great.

“I know family and friends who have suffered and are suffering with brain tumours so if I can help in any way that is good enough for me.”

Despite enjoying the challenge to an extent, Mr Johnson has no desire of repeating the trail run but he is looking forward to taking on the 69-mile run along Hadrian’s Wall in the not too distant future.

“I would love to do the Hadrian’s Wall one because that looks epic but I am not too keen on doing this one, the blisters I got from the stone and chalk paths gave me the biggest blisters I have ever had,” he said.

“But if I can raise more money for a great cause then I am definitely up for that.”