A Garston man has run 100k - more than two marathons - to raise nearly £1,400 for Cancer Research UK, inspired by his dad who has been battling the illness.

Kirk Moon, 33, ran from 7.20am to 12.30am to finish the 62 mile trek along the Grand Union canal.

Despite rolling his ankle 25k in, the dad-of-two pushed on to complete the Active Challenge event in 17 hours 20 minutes - and he nearly tripled his £500 fundraising target.

Kirk lost three stone in training for the feet, but still found the distance hard going.

He said: "The worst part was between Hemel Hempstead and Tring, there was mud on the towpath, which made it really hard going - I felt like phoning and giving up. But that wasn’t an option.

"Once all the sponsorship is collected it should raise about £1,300 or £1,400 - well beyond the target of £500."

Kirk, who lives in Cobb Green, said he wanted to support Caner Research UK for his dad and grandmother and because of the high number of people affected by cancer.

He said: "I chose Cancer Research because most people are hit by cancer, there’s not many people who don’t know a relative or friend with cancer.

"My father has been suffering with cancer, my grandmother on my father’s side died of cancer and girlfriend’s grandmother died of lung cancer.

"It’s a very personal charity."

Kirk was one of 2,000 runners taking part in the event that day - tackling the longest distance from Paddington Recreational Grounds to Bletchley, near Milton Keynes.

The half way point of the race on June 28 was at Cassiobury Park.

His family, including seven-year-old daughter Poppy and three-year-old son Oscar, turned out to cheer him on.

Kirk, who works as front of house for Orbital Fastners on Tolpits Lane, added: "Thank you to my partner Sophie Hall for her support at the finish line and helping me back to the car. And another big thank you to my boss for the donation and support over the whole thing. And thanks to people coming out on the day and cheering me on - work colleagues, friends and family."

To make a donation visit http://www.justgiving.com/Kirk-Moon or text the code KDMO80 then the amount to 70070.