Imagine running from London, England to Sydney, Australia; that's effectively what Ben Smith did, after the openly gay runner completed 401 consecutive marathons in the UK.

 

And when it was all over, Smith wanted nothing more than a "pint and a steak." (And probably a chair.)

 

Smith took on the challenge in order to raise £250,000 to help in the fight against bullying, with the money being shared between the anti-bullying charity Kidscape and the queer-focussed organization Stonewall. In all, he ran 10,506.2 miles since he started on September 1, 2015. 

 

Running 401 marathons in 401 also makes him a world record holder, beating Ricardo Abad's 380.

 

"I honestly think I'm in a bit of shock -- I can't believe we have done this," he said. "I'm overwhelmed by all the crowds that have come out and the fact that we've raised the £250,000 target -- it's mind-blowing."

 

He also thanked his partner. "He believed in me every single day of this challenge. I only came out two years ago and I didn't believe that I could be a gay man and feel strong and be happy with who I was. Having met Kyle I feel that I'm the happiest I've ever been in my entire life and I feel so strong."

 

"It is excellent," his father said. "I knew at the start that save for a broken leg or a serious illness where the medics said 'you can't run' then he would be able to do it."

 

And Smith is not done; he announced the formation of the 401 Foundation, which will help build confidence and self-esteem in children.

 

Bringing cupcakes for a bake sale doesn't seem so difficult now, does it?

 

Ben Smith completes 401st marathon in 401 days [BBC News]

 

Man runs 401 marathons in 401 days in anti-bullying fundraiser [The Guardian]