A TAVISTOCK athlete this week raced into the record books for a second time, after triumphing in one of athletics' most gruelling challenges, the Brathay Trust's Ten Marathons in Ten Days event.

Adam Holland, 23, ran the 262-mile Lake District-based event in a record-breaking time of 30 hours 20 minutes and 54 seconds. Incredibly, he knocked more than two hours off his previous record — without any proper training prior to the event.

His achievement has been described as 'truly staggering' for an amateur runner by Brathay's race director, who is predicting a big future in athletics for Adam.

The avid runner entered the Guinness Book of Records when he completed the Ten in Ten challenge last year, finishing in 32 hours 47 minutes and 3 seconds.

He said: 'It's overwhelming to think you are number one at something — and then to smash it again by two hours is phenomenal.

'They think it is going to be a while until someone breaks the new record.'

Averaging 26.2 miles a day, Adam said he did not find the challenge too tough.

'I only struggled on day five because the traffic kept stopping me and getting in the way.

'I also had what the physio and I called a "thing" which was a sore spot on the inside of my leg. We didn't know what it was but I didn't let it slow me down.'

The Brathay Challenge was Adam's 90th marathon and he aims to reach his 100th in October, making him the youngest person in the world to complete 100 marathons.

Adam said: 'My 100th marathon will be at the Eden Project.

'To finish 100 marathons is my main goal at the moment, but it's not that far away and I don't know what I'll do after that.

'I'd like to see how far I can go with running. I need to push my body to find out what I can do.'

When not running or working, Adam plays hockey, darts and holds a children's running club in the Meadows every week.

'I've always got to be doing something. I'm not very good at sitting still for too long,' he said.

Adam received lots of support from family, friends and his colleagues at Pillars Newsagents and Tavistock Primary School, where he works as a mealtime assistant.

He said: 'Everyone at the primary school was over the moon.

'I had a phone call from them while they were in assembly and the kids had been watching the videos of me running.

'My parents texted me every day — they were very proud.'

The Brathay Ten in Ten raises money for disadvantaged and challenged youths in communities around the UK.

Scott Umpleby, head of fundraising for Brathay Trust and organiser of the race, said: 'Adam's achievement this year has surpassed everything that we thought possible with this event.

'For a relatively unknown athlete to complete ten marathons over consecutive days in an average time of 3 hours 2 minutes and 5 seconds is truly staggering.

'What makes this achievement even more impressive is Adam's young age.

'The performance of endurance athletes usually peaks during their mid to late 30s.

'Adam should have a very promising future as a competitive marathon runner and is looking for professional coaching and guidance to help him realise his potential.

'The Brathay Ten in Ten is now recognised by Guinness as a World Record category, with Adam breaking his own record set in 2009.'

Sports therapist Maria Stansfield, part of the athlete support team, said: 'Adam is an inspiring person who has such raw talent.

'He was full of energy and smiles, even when the experience was getting a little tough for us all.

'He made the course look so easy as he flew in day after day, completing the marathons in excellent times.

'Adam isn't your usual athlete, he doesn't train, didn't receive sport therapy treatment prior to the event, hasn't got a conventional running gait and survives off ice-cream!

'With such a natural talent it's confusing how he isn't appreciated world-wide for his talent as he is, without a doubt, world class standard.'

Adam is still raising money for the Brathay Trust. Anyone who would like to donate can visit Adam's Just Giving website at http://www.justgiving.com/10in10recordtango">www.justgiving.com/10in10recordtango