AN adventurous runner from Redditch will be running through the night to complete the daunting challenge of 40 parkruns in 40 different counties – in just one weekend.

Roland ‘Riggie’ Rignall will take on his own ‘40/40 Challenge’ consisting of 40 5km runs between April 20 and 22, which is the equivalent of four-and-a-half marathons.

His remarkable quest will take him from Lincolnshire, to Yorkshire, Merseyside, Kent, onto London, across the south coast to Devon, up to Bristol, and back through the Midlands.

To fit the 40 events into such a tight schedule, Riggie, from Winyates, will be running at all hours of the night, including one event at 12.50am in Newbury – but it’s all for a good cause.

The 37-year-old father-of-one said: “I am doing this to raise funds and awareness for a small dog rescue charity called Ruff Luck rescue.

“I decided I wanted to raise money for Ruff Luck as myself and my wife used to volunteer there on weekends, but we are unable to do so now due to our own three dogs and our 18-month daughter Penny.

“I love a challenge as I believe if you want people to give you hard earned money you have to do something that pushes you to your own limit. And this certainly will be above mine!

“The challenge is great, although I think 30/30 or 20/20 might have had the same ring to it with a lot less hassle!”

Riggie has received a lot of support from the community so far including a mini bus donated by Central Cab Care, and is inviting locals to join him in his events, including his final run at Redditch's Arrow Valley Country Park on Sunday at 8.15pm.

He added: “It will be daunting with the 200km running, the possibility of running alone in the middle of the night, and the 60 plus hours with little sleep. But I am excited to start.

“There are so many great people to meet along the way and it will be a great achievement.

“I have two friends as support crew and one of my sponsors have given us a mini bus for free though so that was great. I have not even guessed the milage!”

Riggie aims to raise £1,500 for Ruff Luck. Visit facebook.com/4040-challenge-359435551191640 for details on how to donate.