A DYNAMIC Dudley councillor has successfully completed an epic challenge to run 12 marathons in 12 months.

Cradley and Wollescote councillor Richard Body only took up running in August 2016 to try and lose weight and improve his health and since then he’s become an avid marathon runner and has even taken on an ultra marathon.

Despite suffering from osteoarthritis - he’s pushed himself to complete the series of 26-milers as well as the gruelling 50-mile Pennine Barrier ultra marathon in a bid to raise funds for Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital which treated his dad after he fell down the stairs and suffered a head injury.

He’s even completed some of the tough-going running events with the aid of sticks - most recently two night marathons which he undertook after his dad finally succumbed to the injuries suffered in the fall which happened as he was putting the Christmas tree away.

But incredibly he managed to achieve a personal best of 4:31:20 when he undertook his 12th marathon - the Hull Marathon - on September 23.

He thanked all those who have supported and sponsored him and said: "My 12 in 12 challenge has been tough, unforgettable and now done.”

But not content with that - Cllr Body, aged 52, is now set to run yet another marathon - the Leicester Marathon - on Sunday October 14 and has also signed up to take on the 100-mile Chester Ultra next May.

He said he just wanted to prove if he can do it others can too and he added: “There’s so many people who live every day in some kind of pain; it just so happens that mine is 24 hours - but to get on with life you have to channel that pain."

All money raised from his running adventure will go to the QE’s critical care unit, now in memory of his dad who passed away on August 23.

Anyone wishing to boost Cllr Body’s fundraising efforts can make a donation online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/richard-body1.

Keen runners or beginners interested in getting into running can join him at Wollescote Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays when Cradley and Wollescote running group meets at 7pm. For more information check out the group’s Facebook page or just head to the park’s main car park.