A SPIRITED travel blogger capped off 2016 by completing an epic fundraising feat as he ran more than 3,600 kilometres in 365 days in memory of his father who died from cancer.

Paul Johnson, 45, who lives in Kendal, ran ten kilometres every day of the year over the course of 2016 to raise £3,000 for Ulverston-based charity St Mary's Hospice.

The charity's 'hospice at home' team cared for Mr Johnson's late father, Bob, who died at his home in Cartmel after a short battle with cancer in December 2015.

The 77-year-old was a keen athlete who loved running with his Colne Valley Beagles in his beloved Cartmel Valley. This encouraged his son to complete a mammoth running challenge in his memory.

Mr Johnson said: "I read about the challenge in the past and I thought it would be good to have a go.

"I've had times where I've not felt as well and times where I've had injuries so it has been challenging and I did sometimes have to limp down the street.

"I can be quite determined but I don't think I ever fully appreciated what I was taking on at the time because it all depends on you being fit and well and there were times when I didn't feel that great.

"You never know what is going to happen and I could have quite easily hurt my leg or something."

Fortunately for Mr Johnson he made it through the '10k a day' challenge unscathed and on the 366th day, he poignantly ran from Kendal to Cartmel Priory where he met up with his family, including his mother, Judy, to remember his father.

Mr Johnson said: "It's a special place for all of us as it's where my father is buried and I would like to think that my dad would have been proud of my efforts.

"I think what the hospice do is amazing and they deserve our support. They are a vital part of our community."

Despite getting into the running habit, Mr Johnson isn't planning to repeat the challenge in 2017.

He added: "I am still going to go running because I've got a dog that is quite accustomed to it now.

"However, I am quite looking forward to not having to go out for a run when it's absolutely throwing it down. If I don't do it I will pile on the pounds pretty quickly so that will be a good bit of motivation for me to carry it on."

You can donate to Mr Johnson's cause by clicking on this link here.

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