REMARKABLE Redditch runner Doug Richards has completed his lifelong ambition of running at least a half marathon on each of the planet’s seven continents.

The sprightly grandfather began his challenge in 1984 with a half-marathon in the UK, and - after trekking the globe - finished with a half-marathon on King George Island in Antarctica this March.

The 69-year-old's challenge has helped to raise in excess of £35,000 over the years, with his latest event raking in around £2,500 for the Midlands Air Ambulance

He said: “The half marathon was tough on a very hilly route.

“We started in a blizzard where you could only see a short distance in front of you and then the temperature dropped which made the route very slippery, particularly on the hills.

“The wind also increased which made the temperature feel even colder.

“Although it took me around three hours to complete, which is much slower than I would normally expect, I still finished 35th out of 83 starters.

“It was a great moment when I finally crossed the line, having completed a quest I set myself many years ago - a great sense of achievement in a part of the world very few people ever get to see, let alone run on.

“The whole experience of Antarctica was incredible and we had some amazing wildlife encounters with whales, seals and penguins!

“I have raised around £2,500 for the Midlands Air Ambulance as a result of this run and I was proud to wear their charity vest during the race.”

After completing his European event in the U K in 1984, Doug followed that up in 2002 when he took on a half-marathon in Siberia in Asia, and later completed challenges in South America, Africa, and Australia.