JOINING a gym is enough for most people's new year's resolution, but the owner of Evolve Health and Fitness in Bicester went to the extremes by opting instead for a 268-mile race.

John Stocker has just about recovered after taking on the gruelling challenge of running the full length of the Pennine Way – from northern Derbyshire to the Scottish borders – over six days.

About 113 runners started the MONTANE Spine winter ultra marathon race, a non-stop test of endurance from Sheffield to Scotland, on Sunday, January 15, and Mr Stocker was one of the 63 race finishers.

The experienced runner and Centurion 100 miler grand slam winner 2016 said: "We have done several 100-milers last year but nothing to this scale, this was a completely different scale - carrying your own 10kg pack and navigating the course yourself.

"It is advertised as the most brutal event in the UK and I have to agree.

"I wanted to do it for the challenge, one to set a goal to achieve but also to inspire others to try and achieve something whether that is a 5k, 10k or whatever."

Mr Stocker added that for the entire six days of racing he only had 10 hours sleep throughout.

Back in Bicester, Evolve Health and Fitness, which opened in Murdoch Road in 2011, staged its very own Spine challenge where members could support Mr Stocker on his way by rowing, running and cycling the equivalent distance back at the gym.

Members had a little head start for completing the 268 miles throughout January and plotted their progress on a map made by Maps International of Bicester.

The route which Mr Stocker took included the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian’s Wall and the Cheviots before finishing at the Scottish borders – many famous spots which he said he only saw in the middle of the night.

He ran alongside Canadian runner Helene Dumais, who he met on the way, and the pair finished in 41st place.

Mr Stocker said he is now recovered and back to running 15 to 20 miles a day and looking ahead to his next 100-mile event in April before another Spine summer marathon race in June.