Briton who runs a marathon a day takes on US coast to coast challenge

A British runner, who has already run 7000 miles in the last eight months, is taking on a new challenge - to run coast to coast in the United States.

Rob Young, 32, has run at least a marathon a day since April. During the week he gets up at 2.45am, so he can fit in a marathon before going to work. Then he does ultramarathons at the weekends.

On Saturday 17th, the kilt-clad runner will also be the only European at the starting line for the 3,000-mile Race Across the USA. It will see him run through 12 states in 140 days, and cross through mountains and desert from Los Angeles to the White House in Washington.

Only 12 people are taking on the task. They hope the mammoth run will shine a spotlight on childhood obesity.

But Rob, who is a childhood abuse survivor, is also doing it to raise money for charities helping disadvantaged children - the NSPCC, Dreams Come True and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The former soldier, from Mortlake in south west London, is looking to beat the world record for the most marathons run in a year by the time he takes part in the London Marathon this year. To do this he plans to fly between the UK and US to race here as well as take part in the coast-to-coast event.