NEXT time organising a birthday celebration seems stressful, spare a thought for Mike Evans - his will last all year.

Mike, from Abercarn, set himself the challenge of running 50 half-marathons to mark each year of his life.

Since his 50th birthday on August 5 last year he has run 28 half-marathons in 29 weeks, and yesterday completed the Islwyn half-marathon.

He has so far run 378 miles and driven more than 4,000 miles to races across Britain, even taking the ferry to Jersey. Mike's fastest time yet is 1hr 42mins.

"I reached the grand old age of 50 and wanted to do something to mark the occasion," said Mike, an IT expert.

"I'd already run a marathon so the idea just sort of occurred to me."

Mike is hoping to raise more than £2,000 for children's charity CLIC Sargent.

It was after receiving a knee injury playing rugby for Cwmcarn United that he first started jogging.

"It was a way to get back to fitness and I really enjoy it," he said.

At the start of the challenge he was given three pairs of running shoes by a sports shop in Gloucester, where he moved for work ten years ago.

For more information or to sponsor Mike visit www.justgiving.com/mike_evans.