WITH just ten weeks to go until Dorchester Marathon one runner is keen to add to his impressive medal haul.

Martin Ewers originally got into running properly when he turned 30 to help him lose weight. But it was gaining medals that lead to success after success and now Mr Ewers has 217 medals for running.

The multi-marathon runner said some his favourite medals are from Dorset races like the Giant’s Head medal, which has the famous Cerne Abbas giant on it.

The self-confessed medal addict is looking forward to adding a new medal to his horde from the Dorchester event on Sunday, May 28.

The race, run by White Star Running and Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary, will take in the historic town and the picturesque villages around the county town.

Organisers have said they always make a point of producing medals which runners are keen to earn. The Dorchester medal will ‘emulate the historic values of Dorchester.’

Mr Ewers said: “I began running properly when I hit 30 in 2010 and needed to lose weight. I have never done any running, cycling, swimming or triathlon event where there wasn’t guaranteed medals at the end.

“I got my first medal in a local 5k in 1993 and then my second in the same race in 2010. “Since then I have constantly added to them.”

Mr Ewers has some special favourites amongst his huge collection of medals.

He said: “I’ve been fortunate that I’ve managed to get some incredible designs and artwork on medals where some can spin, can interlock, or are just simply huge.”

He added: “I worked my way through the distances from 5K to 10K to half marathon, which was my comfort zone distance, and my first marathon was in Paris in 2012.

“You get such a great feeling at the end of a marathon and although you ache you also feel like you’ve given your all and achieved something truly great that you never thought possible.”

For Mr Ewers, from Devon, taking part in a marathon is not just about the running, it’s also a chance to meet new people and he is encouraging anyone thinking of taking on the challenge to just go for it.

He said: “I would say 100 per cent to go for it. Running always seems to be the best exercise to lose weight and burn calories. It’s a great way to meet lots of great people and get some fresh air and feel better about yourself. For some events the running is secondary even to just having a great time and a laugh.”

There’s still time to sign up via: dorchestermarathon.co.uk