It has been well documented that local and well-known runner, John Reynolds, ran 57 miles, the equivalent of four consecutive half marathons, before beginning the Bath Half Marathon last Sunday, 3rd March. Even more impressively, John's next challenge is going to be the

London Marathon on 21st April and then a two-day run back home!

Last weekend, John left his home in Radstock at

7.45 p.m. on Saturday night for a 57-mile run that took him, in sub-zero temperatures, through Wells, across the Mendips and around the Chew Valley, over the Clifton Suspension Bridge and through Bristol, before heading back towards Bath.

He arrived at Bath Abbey at 10.10 a.m., to cheers and applause from scores of well-wishers, before making his way to the start line of the 2013 Bath Half Marathon. He finished the race in just under two-and-half hours and was still carrying the 28lb backpack that he'd left home with. It was -5°c on the Mendips and the food in John's backpack had

completely frozen!

His next challenge is even more incredible – on Sunday, 21st April, John will run the Virgin London Marathon and then run back to the National Osteoporosis

Society's offices in Camerton – a total of 191.5 miles, which he hopes to cover in just over 48 hours.

You can support John online at: http://www.virginmoney">www.virginmoney giving.com/johnreynolds

This year, John is raising funds for locally-based charity, the National Osteoporosis Society. With weight-bearing exercise essential for maintaining healthy bones, John is eager to promote the work of the charity, whilst helping to raise funds to enable them to continue their work supporting, educating and campaigning on behalf of the three million people living with osteoporosis in the UK.

John says:"I had always taken my bones for granted, but our skeletons need to be looked after, whatever age you are. I want to inspire people of all ages, especially younger people, to exercise regularly because it is essential for healthy bones.

It is amazing how many people do not realise that osteoporosis can affect any age group, but running is one of the best ways of keeping your bones strong and healthy.

I am asking people to support me so that we can help people everywhere to understand why it's so important to look after our bones."

In 2004, the after-effects of radiotherapy left John struggling to walk even the shortest of distances, but his unyielding determination and the support of friends and family meant that within a few months, John had completed his first half marathon. In the nine years since then, he has run over 22 half marathons, four marathons, 24 ultra-marathons and six extreme marathons. Last year, he smashed the Guinness World Record for the longest distance covered in less than seven days, when he ran an incredible 425 miles in six days and three hours.

Jess Price, Community Fundraising Manager for the National Osteoporosis Society is thrilled that John is such an inspiration: 'Running is a great form of weight-bearing exercise, which is known to help bones stay strong. We are so grateful to John for taking on this amazing challenge; he is an inspiration to all of us. As well as raising awareness about osteoporosis, John is aiming to raise £5000 for the charity this year, so please support John by visiting http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/johnreynolds.&quot">www.virginmoneygiving.com/johnreynolds."

You can support John by texting oste03 and the amount you want to donate to 70070, e.g. OSTEØ3 £10.