'Nearly naked runner' set for 50 marathons in 50 days

Simon Wengradt runs bare-chested even in winter

A man who began running as a way to get fit and stop drinking is about to start a gruelling challenge of running 50 marathons in 50 days.

Simon Wengradt's challenge, which starts on 3 May, is aimed at raising funds for the Saltash Youth Network and to mark his 50th birthday.

Known as the Nearlynakedrunner on Instagram, he runs bare-chested even in winter as part of his commitment to the Wim Hof method of breathing techniques and cold exposure.

Mr Wengradt, from Saltash in Cornwall, said that four years ago he decided to turn his life around by quitting alcohol and focusing on fitness.

'A sense of space'

Despite herniating a disc in his lower back, he persevered and completed the Eden Project half marathon in under two hours.

Inspired by his upcoming milestone birthday, he decided to run 50 marathons in 50 days for charity.

"Running gives me a sense of space where I can unjumble all my thoughts," he said.

To manage the physical demands of his challenge, Mr Wengradt will receive regular massages from a sports therapist.

He will also use cold plunges in nearby rivers to aid his recovery.

"The River Tamer and the River Lynher are within a mile of my house, so I've got plenty of cold bodies of water to soak in," he said.