WHEN gym owner John Stocker was challenged to run four marathons in four weeks he decided he needed some company.

So he roped in five members of Evolve Health and Fitness to join him for at least one of the 26-mile runs and nicknamed it the 4,3,2,1 challenge.

Between them the group – Mr Stocker, husband and wife Tracey and Peter Watson, Martin Reader, Caroline Oakes, and staff member Matthew Swales – will tackle the Brighton, London and Milton Keynes marathons along with the Three Forts Marathon near Worthing, which is considered an ultra marathon because it covers more than 27 miles, including 3,450 feet of climbing, stiles and rough tracks.

Mr Stocker will do all four, Mrs Watson three, Mr Watson and Mr Reader two, and Ms Oakes and Mr Swales will compete in their first marathons.

The group is hoping to raise thousands for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, a charity very close to their hearts.

Mr Stocker, 32, lost his grandfather Bert Whelan, who lived in Eynsham, to lung cancer in 2003, and Mrs Watson’s father 63-year-old Alan Smith, who lives in Bicester, is currently battling the disease.

Mr Stocker, who runs the Bicester gym based in Murdock Road, said: “One marathon didn’t seem enough to get the money we wanted to raise so I thought ‘why not do two?’.

“Then my wife turned around and said why not do three, and someone else said if you can do three, why not do four?

“The Roy Castle charity managed to get me a space in the London Marathon so we could make it four marathons over four consecutive weeks.

Mrs Watson, 40, ran her first marathon last year at Brighton, but has completed 15 half marathons.

She said: “John told me about the multiple marath-ons and knows I’m up for a bit of a challenge.

“If ever I’m out running and the run gets tough, I always think it’s only a fraction compared to what people suffering cancer are going through. It puts it all in perspective.”

So far the group has raised £3,300 from a Zumba party, waxing and sponsorship.

To sponsor the group, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.

com/team/4321challenge