A BARROW fitness fanatic has successfully completed a gruelling 200-mile non-stop race, finishing third overall.

Fitness fanatic Christopher Kay, 29, of Kent Street, Barrow, took on the Ultra Great Britain challenge, running the Trans-Pennine Trail from Southport to Hornsea at the weekend.

RELATED ARTICLE: Barrow sports enthusiast to run 200 miles non-stop in charity quest

The epic physical test took the mechanical engineer at BAE 69 hours and 40 minutes, having started early on Saturday.

He said: "The weather was horrible on Saturday and through Saturday night.

"Sunday afternoon was better but then rain again Sunday night.

"I decided to get five hours sleep at one of the checkpoints on Sunday night as it looked like it was going to rain all night again and I didn't want a repeat of Saturday night.

"As it happened, when I awoke at 3am Monday morning it was still raining, I waited until 4am but I didn't ease off so just had to get back out there and do it.

"Thankfully Monday afternoon and night was sunny and clear which helped lift my spirits.

"When I got to a checkpoint at 167 miles I was really tired but I knew that one of my running friends, who lived in Hull, was meeting me here.

"I rested for an hour at this checkpoint, ate warm food, had coffee etc. Then me and my friend set off to tackle the last section of the race.

"I was in really good spirits and we were running at a fairly good pace.

"All these factors helped me push on to the finish line and, a little longer than I expected, I crossed the finish line at 3.40am Tuesday morning.

"It was an incredible journey and having gone through those tough times and come out the other side, I now know I could do it again and will do at some point."

Mr Kay is taking on challenges all year for Get Kids Going, a charity which keeps children with disabilities active.

He is aiming for a total mileage of at least 1,500 miles run in competitions.

You can sponsor him here .

Facts about the Ultra Great Britain

- Race starts at 6am at Southport Promenade

- Finish line at the end of the Trans-Pennine Trail in Hornsea

- Participants must be at least 21-years-old

- The top 50 finishers earn a gold 'Ultra Great Britain' buckle

Christopher's sporting highlights


Keswick to Barrow 2016 - 15 Keswick to Barrow finishes from 2002 to 2016

- 100th marathon completed in December 2015

- Completing 11 marathons in 11 days between June and July 2016

- Two 100 mile races completed in preparation for the 200 mile race

- Ironman Triathlons completed in 2014

- Cycled John O Groats to Lands End in 2015

- Completed the Welsh 3000s which involves climbing 15 peaks of 3,000ft in 24 hours, covering a total distance of almost 30 miles

- Three sub three-hour marathons - 2hrs 56mins at the Paris Marathon, 2hrs 54mins at the Manchester Marathon and 2hrs 54mins at the London Marathon