Runners complete 70-mile match-day challenge

Nathan Curtis (left) and Matthew Clarke said the support carried them home

Two friends ran who 70 miles (113km) in 28 hours for charity while carrying 42kg (93lb) vests say the challenge had its "dark moments".

Matthew Clarke and Nathan Curtis ran from London to Witney Rugby Club in Oxfordshire for men's health charity Movember.

The pair, who serve in the RAF, aimed to arrive at the club ground in time for kick-off at 15:00 GMT on Saturday and made it with minutes to spare.

Mr Clarke, who is based at Brize Norton, described it as a "great result".

The pair set out from Movember HQ in central London at about 11:00 GMT on Friday and said initial progress was slow as they navigated a busy Oxford Street full of Christmas shoppers.

The combined weight of their weighted vests equalled the weight of the average UK male, symbolising their message of "share the burden", encouraging men to speak up when they are struggling with their mental or physical health.

Mr Clarke said: "Overall the challenge was a success - we completed the distance and spread the good word of Movember.

"However, it did have its dark moments and, as a team, we had to dig deep to overcome them.

"The support we had was amazing - both with us and across the social platforms - and it carried us home."

Movember encourages men to grow moustaches in November to raise funds and awareness for men's health issues.

The money raised supports projects linked to mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Mr Clark said he hoped, by raising awareness, they could help "remove the stigma" of men talking about their health.

He said: "Whether it's mental health or cancer, be brave enough to say 'I'm not OK'.

"If just one more person speaks up, it's a success."