They say marathon running gets in your blood - and for 60-year-old Barry Light that's certainly true.

Barry, who only took up marathon running five years ago, but quickly became determined to join the famous 100 Marathon Club before he got too old to run.

But he knew he'd need a special to get him started - so he decided to celebrate his sixtieth year, the Queen's Jubilee and the London Olympics by running 60 marathons in 60 weeks, to raise £6,000 for six charities.

He started his mammoth challenge in December 2011 and on Sunday, the grandfather,now 61, notched up his final mile at Littledown sports centre.

Friends and family gathered to cheer him home as he ran 26 laps of the sport's centre's track.

Among those offering support were Olympic runner Liz Yelling, who attended with husband Martin to cheer Barry along, and comedian Eddie Izzard.

Eddie, who famously completed 43 marathons in 51 days for Sports Relief, sent Barry a text commending him on his achievement.

Over the last 60 weeks, Barry's run four marathons back-to-back, flown to Rome, Barcelona and Sydney, run some of Britain's toughest off-road courses and taken part in an event organised in his honour, attended by some of the marathon world's most famous faces.

His fastest run was 3.51, along a marathon course he designed in Bourmemouth, and the slowest was the mountainous Rhondda Rollercoaster in just over eight hours. 

Barry told the Daily Echo: “The last couple of laps were really emotional. I still cannot believe it is all over really. I'm glad I did it, but I'm also glad it's over so I can focus on family life.

“When I started I was determined to see it through, but you never know. If I'd snapped a hamstring or had another serious injury it may have become impossible. But I've been really lucky. I've had a few injuries, but nothing really serious to actually stop me.

Barry's footage from the Snowdonia Marathon

“I'd like to thank everyone who supported me, but in particular my wife, Patsi, daughter Lussi and my little grandson Thomas.”

He also wanted to thank Ade Holloway and all his Littledown Harrier running mates.

Barry, who carried the Olympic Torch last year for the Wessex Autistic Society,  had 29 marathons under his belt before he started the challenge- now he want to complete 100 by the end of the year.

The money will be split between the Wessex Autistic Society, WaterAid, Team BP, Mosaic and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

You can read about all of Barry's 60 marathons on his blog.