MULTI-MARATHON runner Ben Smith joined the Bootye Ladies Running Club from North Petherton for his latest running feat.

Ben Smith, 34, set off in September of last year with the ambitious aim of running 10,506 miles - the same distance as 401 marathons - 401 days.

On Friday, September 9, Ben Smith joined the Bootye Ladies Running Club, setting off from North Petherton Primary School, heading to Bridgwater Sainsbury's for a brief stop off, on to the Globe Inn at Cannington before running back to North Petherton Primary School to finish.

Ben was bullied at school so badly that he attempted to take his own life. He suffered depression for many years after leaving school and university, despite a successful corporate career, and had a TIA (mini-stroke) at the very young age of 29.

As part of his return to health, Ben was dragged along to a running club by a friend and found running was something he could be passionate about and could help him rebuild his confidence and self-esteem.

When Ben finally overcame his demons he wanted to use his experiences to help other people and raise awareness of the harmful effects of bullying and so The 401 Challenge was born.

The objectives of the Challenge are:

• Raise £250,000 for two anti-bullying charities Stonewall and Kidscape - so far, over £130,000 has been raised

• Raise awareness of the harmful effects of bullying - visits to 87 schools have taken place

• To get as many people involved as possible - more than 8,000 people have run with Ben, age range from 5 to 80

• Run 10,506.2 miles in 401 days, which is the distance from Bristol to Sydney - 9,735 miles run so far, only 771 to go

• Inspire people to take on their own personal challenges - over 1,000 people have achieved personal bests for distance running with Ben, and nearly 450 have run the marathon distance for the first time in their lives

Unfortunately Ben had to take 11 days off his challenge in June of this year after running 284 marathons in 284 consecutive days.

Ben has participated in seven official marathons including London Marathon but will complete a total of eight by the end of this project.

He has had public support from the likes of Dame Kelly Holmes, Olympians Steve Cram, Paula Radcliffe, Daley Thompson and further support from Stonewall founder Baron Cashman, Rio Ferdinand, Tim Henman and Chris Evans.

He is currently on his 21st pair of trainers...