A FIT 60-year-old has run 60 marathons to raise money for Hampshire-based charity, Naomi House and Jacksplace. 

On August 17 Steve Radjen started his fundraising challenge to raise £600,000 for Naomi House and Jacksplace, a charity which provides hospices for children and young adults in Hampshire.

For Steve, the challenge had to be unique – 60 marathons in 60 consecutive days at the age of 60 - which would also qualify for a Guinness World Record.

Sadly, the challenge came to a end for Steve during his ninth mile of marathon number five. After four days of running, his mind and body couldn’t continue.

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Emotionally drained and battling severe cramp and sickness, Steve collapsed. 

He said: “I’ve never experienced anything like it, it was horrific. I’d built an enormous pressure bubble around this challenge, and when it finally burst I was physically and mentally overwhelmed. My coping techniques didn’t work and I was wracked with the guilt of letting people down. Defeat was overpowering."

In the five days between marathon number one and marathon number five, Steve had lost one and half stone.

When the challenge came to an abrupt halt, everybody around Steve was worried. He had failed his challenge and sank into a dark depression.

Steve, from Brockenhurst, has now restarted his challenge and he has changed the conditions of the challenge to remove some pressure; the challenge will no longer be an attempt at the Guinness World Record and the runs won’t all be consecutive. However, he’ll still complete 60 marathons.

All whilst working full time, he will be completing five marathons across five days and then taking two days to rest and recover. On Sunday, he completed the London Marathon. 

He added: "I’ve learnt that hiccups and bumps in the road don’t mean that I’ve failed, I’ve given myself permission to reshape the challenge and I’ve come to terms with what happened.”

So far, Steve has raised £14,642 for Naomi House & Jacksplace.

To support Steve, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/steve-radjen-60in60at60.