A MAN is pledging to race 24 marathons in a year in support of his friend.

Richard Merry will cover one million metres in 12 months to help running partner Alex Flynn collect £1million for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.

Richard, of Keable Road, Marks Tey, took on the challenge after Alex, a 37-year-old father of two from Oxfordshire, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

The pair will start the Henley Half Marathon in October, the race where they first met.

They also plan to run the Doyen of the Downs, the London Marathon, the 50-mile Thames Trot, the 145-mile Grand Union Canal Run and the 151-mile Spartathon in Greece.

Richard, who recently completed the Marathon des Sables, a 151-mile endurance race that takes six days to cross the Sahara, said he hopes to raise £15,000 for charity.

He added: “When a close friend gets Parkinson’s, you want to do anything you can to help.”

To sponsor Richard visit his fundraising website at www.justgiving.com/Richard-Merry