A PRESTWICH man took on an epic challenge completing three marathons in three weeks to raise money for a children’s charity.

Byron Edwards, aged 42, took on the Manchester Marathon, Boston Marathon, and rounded off his hat-trick with the London Marathon, all to raise vital funds for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

The keen British Military Fitness (BMF) member raised more than £2,500 for the charity while completing each race in under three and a half hours.

Byron, who trained with BMF twice a week at Heaton Park in the lead up to the event, said: “I ran the London Marathon last year and qualified for the Boston Marathon with my time.

“I wanted to run London again this year and some of my work colleagues were running the Manchester Marathon so I decided to get involved with that as well.

“Before I knew it I had signed myself up for three marathons in three weeks.

“It’s a challenge, but I thought it would be a great opportunity to raise much needed funds for a charity that is very close to my heart, the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

“I raised money for the charity last year and we were given a tour of the hospital as a thank you. Seeing the difference our fundraising made really touched me.

“While the NHS provides the clinical necessities, the charity works hard to make the hospital experience less terrifying for children.

“The wards are themed around space, and when a young child asks if they’re getting into a spaceship when they’re having an MRI, you know that the charity is making a real difference to sick children and their families. I thought it only right that I try to raise more funds for them this year.”

To prepare for his challenge, Byron trained with outdoor fitness provider, BMF, as well as running three times a week.

He said: “BMF was a great addition to my training for the challenge. It has definitely improved my strength and overall fitness and I’ve seen my running improve as a result.

“It made training more enjoyable and varied and I’ve now got a large circle of friends who I met at BMF who I trained and raced with.

“They’ve been great at supporting me in my fundraising efforts and we even ran the Manchester event together, cheering each other on and sharing a few well deserved drinks afterwards.”

To donate to Byron’s cause: visit justgiving.com/ByronEdwardsRBS