DUNFERMLINE became part of a world record attempt on Tuesday as marathon man Ben Smith attempted to complete an astonishing 401 26-mile runs – in consecutive days!

Ben, 33, from Bristol, took on a route starting from Pitreavie Athletics Centre as part of his ‘401 Challenge’ that will take him to 309 different locations across the UK in a bid to raise awareness and £250,000 for anti-bullying charities Stonewall and Kidscape.

His run in Dunfermline, the 274th day of his epic challenge, was devised with the help of the Jog Scotland Dunfermline, with the route taking Ben through the town and out towards Crossgates before returning to Pitreavie via Rosyth.

Ben was cheered on by members of the Carnegie Harriers running club and he said that he was inspired to take up the challenge after suffering from bullying himself at school.

He said: “My father was in the forces and at the time we lived in Germany and to ensure my schooling wasn’t affected, the decision was taken to send me to boarding school in the UK. Coming from a very close and supportive family environment, I found myself alone and very insecure. It would be fair to say it was a shock to the system and a change I wasn’t completely prepared for, this it meant I was an easy target for school bullies.

“I turned from an outgoing and excitable child into a very shy and under-confident individual. The daily physical and emotional abuse broke me and unfortunately at the age of 18 I tried to take my own life after suffering a nervous breakdown. Whilst at university I suffered from depression which led me to try and take my own life again.

“Around three years ago I started running; I got into it as a way of reducing stress in my life. I was overweight, depressed and needed something to focus on, and then two years ago I decided to plan a challenge that at the time I honestly didn’t feel like I would be able to do.”

Mags Doyle, of Jog Scotland Dunfermline, said: “We found out about Ben’s challenge on Facebook and we offered to plan the route. We tried to keep it central so it would be easier for people to run with him, if they wished, and Welcome to Fife has helped support him as well. It’s a boost for our members being involved.”

For more information, visit www.the401challenge.co.uk.