Many people who enjoy a challenge set themselves the goal of completing a marathon.

Running 26.2 miles is hard work and a great achievement but last week Honiton Running Club’s Stephen Boyce completed his 26,200th mile in 100 marathons when he crossed the finish line at New Milton in the New Forest marathon.

His marathon running started back in 1990 in Marrakesh of all places when he had no thought of aiming for a hundred, but marathon running got into his blood and as the years went by he kept ticking them off.

Three years ago he realised that the magic figure of 100 was just over the horizon and put in a concentrated burst to reach that amazing goal. Apart from Marrakesh he has run marathons in Berlin, Rotterdam, Helsinki and Venice as well as doing the London marathon several times. His best time stands at 2:36 which would have placed him in the top 100 of this year’s London Marathon.

His toughest run was the Snowdonia marathon which has three fierce climbs including one at 21 miles when your legs are tired, but he has also done the 132-mile Forces March from Ilfracombe to Bulford Camp three times.

This raises money for forces veterans and takes place over five days, which is more than a marathon a day.

He said: “I will keep on doing marathons and start to do more ultra events (over marathon distance) but have no ambition to go for 200!”

What’s his secret for would-be marathon runners?

Follow a proper training programme but run to keep your heart-rate below 150, then you are more likely to get through the 26 miles without hitting the wall.