TWO Dorset marines who are taking part in a Forrest Gump-inspired coast-to-coast run across America have reached the half-way point.

The Royal Marines, Corporal Lloyd Fenner, 29, and Jamie Jobson, aged 24, are part of a six-man team, consisting of American and British marines, who are attempting the incredible 3,530-mile run, dubbed the Gumpathon, to raise a £1 million for forces charities.

They left New York City last month and hope to cross the finish line on Santa Monica Pier, just like in the 1994 Oscar winning film, on November 11 to coincide with Remembrance Day.

On Monday they passed the half-way mark, but tomorrow the team are set to complete their longest day – running 85.42 miles between Cordell and Sweetwater, Oklahoma.

Corporal Fenner, who has been based at Bovington for two years, spoke to the Daily Echo from the USA.

He said: “The support in the US has been amazing.

“People have been so kind to us along the way and come out on the streets to see us run past or even run with us.

“It is the people that we meet along the way that are going to make this a truly memorable experience.”

Marine Jobson, who is based at Hamworthy, added: “We have no doubt that we will complete the challenge.

“We are marines and failure is not in our vocabulary.

“We are a determined group of guys and we are doing this for an amazing cause.

“It is the thought of all the injured servicemen and women that we will help that keeps us going.”

Colour Sergeant Damian Todd, of the Royal Marines, organised the fundraiser after a close friend of his, Mark Ormrod, became the first triple amputee of the war in Afghanistan.

Astonishingly, Mark will be running alongside the team despite his injuries.

Each member aims to tackle 20 miles per day, which means they would have each completed 34 marathons each by the time they finish.

The charities are The Royal Marine Charitable Trust Fund and Help for Heroes in the UK and the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund in the US.

The facts

• The team will cross four time zones during their run.

• Each man will get through 24 pairs of trainers and take in 3,500 calories a day.

• They will run through 16 states and 789 towns and cities.

• Ten mountain ranges and three deserts will be crossed by the team.

• Day 49, at the Grand Canyon, will be their highest point at 7,527ft.

• They face minimum temperatures of a chilly 0°c and maximum temperatures of a sweltering 49°c.