This week, Sam King, from Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex, said he had reached 61 ultramarathons since starting his challenge in September.
Advertisement
The world record attempt has not yet been verified but, according to Guinness World Records, the record stood at 60 ultramarathons in as many days.
Sam hopes his challenge, a fundraiser for brain injury charity Headway, will continue for 79 days.
The 32-year-old wanted to raise money for the charity after his mother, who he described as “the most incredible woman”, suffered a brain haemorrhage earlier this year.
“They told us he wasn’t going to survive,” he said.
“We spent 24 hours in the hospital waiting for her to take her last breath and it put my whole life into perspective.”
Advertisement
He left his job in London and moved closer to his hometown, Frinton-on-Sea, so he could spend more time with her.
Sam says his mother is his best friend (supplied)
He had planned to run 74 ultramarathons in as many days (one for each year of his mother’s life before she became ill), but he extended the challenge to 79 days so it would end in one weekend.
“What’s five extra days after running 74?” He laughed, before heading out for a run with a friend who was visiting from Exeter to support Sam’s challenge.
His mother watched him finish his record-breaking run on Wednesday, which Sam said was “one of the best moments of my life.”
Advertisement
Sam lost six kilos (38kg) after taking up running as a hobby while living in London.
“To go from being an overweight player for most of my life to now being a world record holder is incredible,” he said.
He runs 50 kilometers (31 miles) in about five hours each day, which is about the same distance as running from Wembley Stadium to Gatwick Airport.
“I had a lot of difficulties during the first few weeks, but now I’ve adapted. It’s just amazing how the body can adapt to these things and how good I feel.”
He said he had already applied to Guinness World Records to challenge the previous record set by Colonel Krishnan Badhwar in India in January 2023.
Advertisement
Sam records his efforts using two race watches and takes plenty of photos and videos ready to send to a judge at the end of his challenge.
“I hope they are happy and satisfied with the evidence in the end when I upload it,” he added.
He has raised more than £40,000 for Headway and hopes to reach £74,000.
Follow Essex news on bbc sounds, Facebook, instagram and unknown.
More about this story
Related internet links