COMPETITION is set to be fierce during the first Hoad Hill marathon and half marathon in Ulverston, as one of South Cumbria’s fastest rising running stars prepares to challenge for yet another accolade.

Grant Johnson has spent 2015 smashing the field apart in various races, and is now turning his attention to the inaugural Hoad Hill marathon and half marathon this Sunday.

Luckily for those hopeful of a podium place in the marathon, the unstoppable 23-year-old has decided to tackle the shorter of the two routes as part of his training for other events later this year.

But with an enviable list of achievements already under his belt, he is still likely to be a strong contender for the top prizes.

Mr Johnson, of Tamar Gardens, Walney said: “It’s great to be able to take part in a new local event. It’s quite a hard, challenging route so it’s a great event for both local fell runners and road runners.

“I am treating it more as a training event, but I don’t know who else will be there on the day so hopefully I might still be challenging. We’ll just wait and see.”

Taking part in the inaugural Ulverston event will be just the latest chapter in the fairytale of the former St Bernard’s Roman Catholic School student, who only took up running seriously less than two years ago.

Mr Johnson took top spot in this year's Brathay Windermere Marathon as well winning the 32-mile Workington to Keswick and retaining his title in the 40-mile Keswick to Barrow.

As recently as Sunday, he won the Prudent Riverside 10mile run in Lancaster in an astonishing 53 minutes and 44 seconds.

The wind turbine technician originally decided to tackle various sporting challenges to raise funding for kidney research in honour of his girlfriend, Amy Rowlinson, who has kidney failure. 

His amazing efforts have so far raised more than £2,700 but have also seen him win recognition as a serious contender on the running scene. 

This summer he has been training with the Preston-based squad of GB Olympic runner, Helen Clitheroe, who spotted his impressive performance in the Asics Greater Manchester Marathon.

The events he takes part in for the rest of the year, including the Great North Run half marathon in Newcastle, will all serve as speed-building events ahead of his participation in the London Marathon next April.

Of the success he has seen in 2015, Mr Johnson said: “I think it's crazy, really. Everyone else seems to have more confidence in me than I have in myself.

“I just go out there and do what I can. I've just got to keep pushing on and see what comes in the future.”