Coastline runner reaches Wales in epic challenge

A RETIRED banker who is striving to become the first man over the age of 60 to run the entire coastline of mainland Britain has reached Wales.

- ROD MINCHIN

Steve James, 65, has run 148 marathons as part of his target to reach 200 marathons in 200 days, while researchers at the University of Exeter monitor the impact on his body.

Mr James, who lives on Dartmoor, set off from Topsham in Devon on April 16 and intends to end his feat there after running anticlockwise around the coastline for seven months.

He runs for around six hours each day, occasionally staying with his wife in their camper van, or in various accommodation.

"I've been looking forward to the Welsh leg more than any other," said Mr James, who was due to reach Wales yesterday.

"My family are Welsh through and through, with my father's side being Welsh-speakers from Pembrokeshire, where we still have a property.