A MARATHON man who has completed three races this year barely has time to take off his running shoes before he begins his next challenge.

Martin Smith, of Broadwey, Weymouth, has run the Brighton, London and also the Dorset Villages marathons to raise more than £500 for Kidney Research.

Mr Smith, who hopes to have run 10 marathons by the end of 2012, said: “I ran the Brighton Marathon last year, but this year I wanted to do something a little bit different to raise more money.

“I thought ‘why stop at one marathon?’ “I got really in to running five years ago when I started to have kidney trouble.

“I had regular kidney stones and I soon realised that part of the problem was my lifestyle.

“I put my energy in to running marathons and I’ve been absolutely transformed.

“Running is totally addictive. It keeps me out of trouble and keeps me healthy.”

Mr Smith’s next running challenge will be on Saturday when he takes on the Poole 10k race.

He will then complete the Swanage half-marathon a few weeks later.

He added: “In a week, I will usually run anywhere between 15 and 40 miles depending on where I am in my marathon training.

“When I’m near the deadline it will go right up to 40 and then taper off as I need to build up my strength.

“I also take part in spinning classes which aren’t as tough but they build up my muscles. Next year for my 40th birthday I will be running the New York, Perth or the Los Angeles marathon.

“There’s nothing better than the feeling of completing a marathon.

“Crossing the finish line is the moment months of hard work come down to.”

Mr Smith thanked his partner Kate Foreshaw, who he will marry in Barbados later this year, for all of her support.

He said: “I often call her a running widow. I really appreciate all of her support. Whilst I’m off running, she’s at home cooking, cleaning, looking after me.”