A WEYMOUTH man is taking on the epic challenge of running three marathons in three weeks.

Martin Smith, of Broad-wey, will be undertaking gruelling 26.2-mile runs in Brighton on April 15, Lon-don on April 22 and then in north Dorset on May 6.

After suffering years of painful kidney stones and being advised to alter his diet and lifestyle, Martin decided to get off the couch and onto the road to help others suffering from kidney disease.

The 39-year-old welder said: “I used to run a long time ago at school.

“Then I took it up again and I’m kind of obsessed with it now.

“It’s definitely helped the kidney stone side of things without a doubt.

“It’s snowballed as well because it’s made me want to eat healthier too.

“I belong to the Royal Manor of Portland Athletics Club and we go for long runs on Sunday and do speed work on Tuesdays.

“I usually do three mara-thons a year but this is the first time I’ve tried to do three in three weeks.”

Martin aims to get a ‘good time’ at the first event and then to ‘just achieve under four hours’ in the second two.

He added: “I still have the odd kidney stone but nowhere near the amount of trouble I had before taking up running and altering my lifestyle.

“I hope my Three in Three Challenge will raise money and awareness to improve the lives of people affected by kidney problems.”

Martin aims to raise £500 for the Kidney Research UK charity. To sponsor him see kidneyresearchukevents.

org/marathonmartin