A RUNNER from York is preparing for his biggest challenge yet - and wants people in York to join him.

Simon Middleton is an experienced marathon and ultra marathon runner, and the Make It York worker is aiming to raise £1,850 for Age UK by completing seven marathons in seven days.

The first day of his challenge will be Easter Monday, April 22, which will see him run 26.2 miles around York, starting from Joseph Rowntree School in Haxby Road, and he is calling on residents and fellow runners to join him for some or all of that day's event.

Simon, 46, finished last year's York Marathon in three hours and eight minutes, and said: "I've done 31 marathons or ultras to date. I'm being honest, I'll finish London so I need to make it into a challenge.

"For the last month or two I've had a bit of a leg injury anyway so I've been resting and only last week or so started doing any running again, but during that week, it's a case of slowing down and getting round. I'm not looking to beat any personal bests, if I turn up at London and run sub-four hours, I'll be amazed because I'll be absolutely shattered by that point."

Day two will see Simon travel to Warner Brothers Studios near Watford for a run he has called the Harry Potter Marathon, and he will return to York for day three's Yorvik Marathon, during which he will be joined by members of the York Postal Harriers for the final 10km.

On day four, Simon will run the Solar System Marathon - starting at York Racecourse and running the cycle path and back - while day five has been dubbed the TFI Friday Marathon, again on the streets of the city.

The route for day six is yet to be determined - currently called the Choices Choices Marathon, while day seven will see Simon take on the world-famous London Marathon or, in his words, "the big one".

Simon said he hoped people in York would join him throughout his challenge, either for the full runs, or sections of it, and urged anyone interested to go to the public events he has set up on Facebook, with 90 people already showing interest.

He said: "I'm really keen for people to come and join me because that will slow me down as well. Monday to Friday all set up as public events on Facebook and Monday was very deliberate as takes in the Park Run locations in York because it's something I do every Saturday morning.

"If just ten turn up on the day it will be fantastic we get a good crowd whether they want to do part or all of it with me, it's up to them. The first hundred people there will get a running number to pin to their shirt that day. I'm fully expecting people to dip in and out each day. I've got a friend coming with a newborn to go round Knavesmire with a buggy."

To donate, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/simon-middleton6 or to find out more about the marathons and how to join Simon on his challenge, go to facebook.com/events/2041756842566908/