Ex-gamer takes on 74 ultra-marathons in 74 days

Sam King is no stranger to long-distance runs, having conquered ultra-marathons near Kilimanjaro

A former gamer who shed six stone (38kg) after swapping his sedentary lifestyle for one of exercise is set to run 74 ultra-marathons in as many days.

Sam King, from Frinton-on-Sea in Essex, weighed 19 stone (121kg) at his heaviest, before deciding to ditch his desk-based hobby in favour of taking up running.

After conquering his first marathon, the 31-year-old, once the highest-ranked Call of Duty video gamer in the world, soon became obsessed with extreme endurance tests.

He was inspired by his mum's near-fatal brain injury and now hopes to raise £74,000 for charity by running 2,292 miles (3,691km) in 74 days in his hometown.

Mr King quit his job with a view of taking up running professionally after his mum suffered a brain injury

"I will be doing 31 miles a day and my target is five hours a day, starting first thing in the morning until lunchtime," said Mr King.

"I am planning on doing three or four loops a day, so it breaks it up and I am never thinking too far ahead about how far I've got to run.

"On the days that I am struggling and less motivated [the fundraising goal] will definitely carry me forward and hopefully we will get to the £74,000 eventually."

The 31-year-old shed six stone (38kg) after swapping online gaming for running

Mr King, who will listen to music and podcasts during his runs, kicked off his Project 74 challenge on Saturday from Battersea Park in London.

He will complete the majority of it in Frinton-on-Sea, with The Hardest Geezer, Russ Cook, who ran the length of Africa, set to join him at some point for moral support.

Mr King is raising money for Headway UK, the brain injury charity that supported his family after his mother suffered a life-altering bleed on the brain earlier this year.

"We were told she wouldn't make it and it threw everything into perspective, so I quit my job and said I am going to run an ultra-marathon for every year of her life," he said.

"Brains are very unpredictable and complicated but Headway was really amazing in supporting us through that journey, so I really want to raise awareness for them."

Mr King said the fact his mum was still alive was "a miracle"

His mum, who spent six months in hospital, can no longer walk by herself but has maintained her long-term memory.

"After being told she wouldn't make it, anything is a miracle - still being able to hug her and tell her I love her is very special.

"We are just going to enjoy the time we have with her now."

The endurance runner started his Project 74 challenge at the weekend, setting off from Battersea Park, in London