SMILING from ear to ear, a Tavistock athlete this week bounded into the record books, as he became the youngest person in the world to complete an astonishing 100 marathons.

Adam Holland, 23, finished his 100th marathon at the Eden Project on Sunday, finishing second in a time of 2hours 57minutes 03seconds. The previous world record holder was Steve Edwards, of Gloucestershire, who was 28 when he set the record in 1990.

A huge roar went up from the crowd waiting at the finish outside Eden's biomes, as Adam came into view on the final few hundred metres of the course, leaping up and down to wave to the supporters.

As he crossed the finishing line, seeming as fresh as a daisy, Tavistock's own marathon man said the welcome of the crowd was 'fantastic'.

'It just felt like another marathon while I was doing it, but seeing everyone there at the end made it so different. Normally I go to these events on my own and just wander off at the end, but seeing everyone was just great.

'I could hear the cheering for the winner so I knew when I wasn't that far away — I just had to jump up and wave as soon as I could see everyone — there were people from the hockey club and the athletics club, it was great, it made such a difference.'

Adam said he was not there to race on the day — he was there to nail his 100th marathon, but finishing second was a bonus.

'My goal was to finish in under three hours, which I did, so that was good.'

There have been busy times for Adam following his achievement, with a flurry of press interviews and congratulations coming from all quarters. Working at newsagents Pillars and at Tavistock Primary School, he is a well-known figure about the town.

'I was late to work yesterday from the school, because two of the teachers wanted me to talk to the kids, and I had to have a photo with one of the classes, so I was late to Pillars, and then Radio Devon called me when I was there and I had to disappear and talk to them, but they've been really good to me about it all,' said Adam, who also paid tribute to Nigel Eadie at the Original Pasty House for all his support.

But having completed his 100th marathon, Adam has no intention of hanging up his running shoes and taking a rest. He is due to run in the Dart Vale Marathon on Sunday and has a game for Tavistock Hockey Club on Saturday.

His next major aim is the London Marathon in April — his fourth attempt at the world's most famous long distance race.

'I really want to get my time down in that,' said Adam, who has been offered the opportunity to undergo hi-tech lab testing at Silverstone through votwo, a national sport coaching company for whom he has been competing since January.

'The tests tell you what your body is capable of doing, and what your potential should be. They are a great bunch of people and I've really enjoyed running for them, they've been very supportive,' he said.

For an athlete who admits he follows no special diet — other than a 'see food—eat it' one — and who follows no formal training regime, the results and recommendations could prove interesting reading. The young runner said the fact he had completed his goal still had not really sunk in.

'I don't think it will until I have that big bit of paper from the record book. I've still got to finish a few bits of the paper work. You have to verify every single race too and there's a couple I've still got to sort out.'

Adam already has two entries in the Guinness Book of Records. He was part of a team treadmill record-breaking attempt in 2008 and holds the record for the gruelling Brathay Trust's Ten in Ten marathon — a body-sapping ten full marathons, raced over ten days in the Lake District. Adam smashed his own record in the event in May, taking more than two hours off the time he set the previous year.

l Adam has been raising money for Derriford Hospital by selling commemorative lapel badges marking his achievement. They are available from Tavistock College Student Services or Pillars for £1.10.