The Bristol man who ran 401 marathons in 401 days has a new challenge
Ben Smith became a huge ambassador for mental health, daring young people to strive for their dreams
Michael YongEducation and news reporter
Ben Smith during the 401 challenge
When Ben Smith set off on September 1 three years ago to run 401 marathons in 401 days, he did not expect the swell of support and reaction he got.
More than a year later - with a spine fracture, shattered shins and many broken toe nails - he crossed the finishing line at Millennium Square, cheered on by thousands around the world.
You would think a challenge like that was enough to last a lifetime, but not Ben Smith.
He has now launched his newest challenge for 2020 - to run 50 marathons across the 50 states of America.
Bristol's 401 Challenge marathon man Ben Smith launches new festival of running to help others
And he won't fly or drive between his marathons, but aims to cycle across states instead.
The adventure will cover a total of 18,500 miles over 104 days, which means he is averaging around 177 miles a day.
"This has been in the making for a while. The charities I will be supporting are close to my heart and will help so many children," Ben said.
Ben Smith when he finished his 401 marathons
Here are the staggering figures:
177 miles of running and cycling a day
15,000 calories per day
1.56million calories through the entire challenge
Climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest 9.2 times
15 hours of activity a day
The challenge will aim to raise £1million for two charities - Ben's own 401 Foundation and the Youth Sport Trust.
The Youth Sport Trust is a charity working to ensure every child has a chance to play and enjoy a sport, while the 401 Foundation provides grants to organisations tackling mental health and self development.
"The 401 marathons took a lot out of me and it took a while to get back to normality," Ben explained.
"I was quite frank and open about my struggles with mental health afterwards. What I did shook me to the core and it took a good year for me to come to terms with it.
"But it also taught me a lot about mental health and what we can do together. I hope that is what this new challenge will do."
The last letters from a dad to his children as he was 'left to die'
Thousands of people across the globe ran a virtual marathon with Ben on his last day when he completed his first challenge, helping to raise £250,000 for charities.
It sprung a new idea for the journey through America. People can buy tickets to take part in a virtual challenge, logging their own progress.
It involves running up to 1,310 miles in 365 days, or cycling 17,000 miles in a year. As part of these challenges, people will be rewarded when they hit certain landmarks. To take part, go to https://www.the401challenge.co.uk/