A FORMER Tavistock resident, well known in the town for his incredible running abilities, will be taking on the biggest challenge of his running career this year — 24 marathons in 17 days as well as running from John O'Groats to Land's End then cycling the end to end route.

Adam Holland, 27, who now lives in Newark, has always enjoyed running and in his adult years has run ten marathons in ten days four times, made it into the Guinness World Book of Records for being the youngest person in the world (at the then age of 24) to have run 100 marathons and is also in the record book for the fastest completion of the Brathay 10 in 10 event.

In 2014 alone he took part in 102 events, 52 of which were marathons and has so far, to date, run 189 marathons and ultra marathons.

As well as his love for running, Adam is always aiming to raise money for charity with the events he completes and this year will be no different.

He said: 'For 2015 I wanted to do something big for me to raise money for charities and to inspire people to take part in something — even if it is only 20 minutes a day, which can make a big difference to people's lives. I started by thinking small but ended up taking on something big!

'From March 21 to April 6, I will be taking on 24 marathons in 17 days in five different locations in the middle of England in events including the Git Pit Double Marathon, 14in7 Hot Runner, the COD Triple, Broadmeadow and the Easter Run around the Reservoir.

'The nice thing about this is that I'll be able to see a lot of the people I've met along my journey and they will be able to cheer me on and support me.'

While undertaking this challenge, Adam will be raising money for the Laura Maguire Foundation — a charity that promotes emotional, psychological and physical health in children through mindfulness education.

Following a brief rest of four days, Adam will then take part in the 2XU JOGLE, running from John O'Groats to Lands End, covering around 860 miles in 17 days — averaging 50 miles a day.

'After enduring that mammoth task he will follow the same route again from May 2 to May 9 but this time on bicycle.

'I will be cycling from John O'Groats to Land's End, with a team of ten for a young mother of two children — Sam from Weston-super-Mare — who has been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Therefore our cycle challenge will be in aid of the Brain Tumour charity to raise awareness and to raise vital funds. I asked my team members whether we could stop off on the last day in Tavistock so I can see my friends and family before I head off to the end,' said Adam.

'I'm an experienced runner who you could say isn't very slow with a marathon time of 2 hours and 37 minutes.

'I've done ten marathons in ten days four times with my best average time being 2 hours, 58 minutes and 38 seconds.

'I've worked out that I will be doing about 2,500 miles with my legs in 50 days. For me this is a journey and one I'm not willing to miss — you could say it's a once in a lifetime opportunity!

'I don't feel nervous at all, I reckon when I start then maybe I will be. Anything is possible if you put your mind and body to it. I like to think that I'm inspiring others to get out and do stuff too.'