RUNNING phenomenon Adam Holland certainly deserved a breather after completing a staggering — or perhaps not so staggering — ten marathons in ten days. Adam, from Tavistock, took part in the Great Barrow Challenge, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk and was one of only 15 hardy athletes to complete the 'ten in ten' of the 170 runners who took part in the marathon run. One marathon, a length of 26 miles 385 yards, is a daunting challenge for even a dedicated club runner but ten in ten days is a rare feat. If even the thought of such an extraordinary effort would be enough for most people to lie down and take a rest, not so for Adam, who was back to work the next day as an after-sales support worker in Newark, Nottinghamshire where he now lives. Adam, aged 27, a former member of Tavistock Hockey Club, who now plays for Newark Hockey Club, has recently raised more than £3,000 for the Brathay Trust, which supports disadvantaged young people. He told the Times: 'I've known for sometime that I can do a sub three hour average. After having a bit of bad luck in the Brathay ten in ten, I just needed the opportunity to show I can to it.' Adam is the current Guinness World Record holder of 30 hours 20 minutes and 54 seconds for ten marathons over consecutive days at an average of 3 hours, 2 minutes and 5 seconds. At the Great Barrow Challenge he attempted to complete all ten marathons in an average of under three hours each. It was a near run thing but Adam achieved his target with an average of 2hrs 59mins 16secs. On day one, he ran 2hrs 54mins 20secs; on day two, 3.23.28; day three, 3.12.25; day four, 2.52.00; day five, 3.03.03; day six, 2.44.17; day seven, 2.54.12; day eight, 2.57.06; day nine 2. 52.27 and day ten, 2.53.01. Not surprisingly, by the ninth and tenth marathons the intrepid runner felt a little tired and heavy legged but kept on going. He thanked all those in Tavistock and West Devon who have supported his running exploits. Adam said he was missing everyone at home and would love to come back to see them all but would have to save up some money to do that. 'I really appreciate the support I have in Tavistock. It's really pleasing that youngsters who I have trained and run with in Tavistock keep in contact with me and follow my running.' The one man running machine has now run 40 sub three hours marathons and 80 more under three hours and 30 minutes.