AN intrepid Saltcoats ultra-runner made it third time lucky when he completed a gruelling 100-mile race along the banks of the River Thames.

Ian Flynn, who is 32, travelled down south at the beginning of May to take on the Thames Path 100, a battle of both mental and physical strength where athletes have 28 hours to complete the distance.

This was Ian’s third attempt at the race having previously managed to get to 71 miles in 2017 and 69 miles last year.

But he was determined to push through the pain to complete the magical 100-mile distance.

Ian was running for charity too and he explained how he had got to where he is, he said: “This was my third attempt. In 2017 I managed 71 miles but had knee issues and then last year I got to 69 miles but the heat was too much.

“This year it was a lot cooler and I was used to that as I had been doing a lot of training at night during the winter.

“I managed to raise £512 for Breast Cancer Care for my mum Rhona Elliot who had breast cancer but has since recovered.”

Ian was running the race himself and relied on the various aid stations throughout the 100 miles but the organisers kept him well fed and watered.

Ian explained just how hard it was and added: “It was very tough.

“I don’t know if I will do it again.

“I knew that I was going to finish when I got past mile 71 and I had enough time left.

“I had more energy this year but there was still a lot of pain in the legs. I was aiming for 11 minute miles where I would run for 25 minutes and walk for three minutes but that got more walking as the race went on.”

Congratulations, Ian.