A STUDENT who completed an 876.5 mile triathlon in 28 days in memory of his godfather admitted finishing it was the best feeling ever.

Sam Richardson, of Nicholsons Grove, Colchester, swam half a mile, ran 300 miles and cycled 576 miles of the route between John O’Groats and Land’s End, over the course of four weeks, with only one day off.

Mr Richardson, 23, a business management student, who also works part-time in Colchester’s Asda supermarket, originally planned to run the whole route.

He was forced to change his plans after he found running with a heavy pack, containing his tent and sleeping bag was hurting his back. So far, he has raised more than £2,500 for Macmillan Cancer Support and St Elizabeth Hospice, Ipswich, which both supported his godfather, Gerald Johnson, during a long fight with cancer.

Sam, 23, said: “Finishing was the best feeling ever.

“I was completely drained, mentally, physically and emotionally, but a great bunch of relatives and friends had made the journey down to Land’s End to celebrate with me at the finish.

“After collapsing on the ground, I did eventually celebrate with them and have a good glug of champagne after it had been sprayed all over me.

“It was a difficult decision to change my plan. I didn’t want to, but it was a choice of that, or spending £100 on a train home and giving up, or taking a few days off after every couple of days running. “I’m not much of a cyclist, so it was still something of a challenge.

“Now I have had a chance to reflect upon the run, it was an amazing experience and to say I have completed it is a cracking achievement.

“I did it all in memory of a great man and a man that I was extremely proud to call my godfather, Gerald Johnson.

“I may have finished but I still need donations, regardless of amount. Every single penny will help.”

To sponsor him, go to sponsor-me.org/joglerun2012