THE owner of a Keighley restaurant has embarked upon the arduous feat of running 50 long distance road races in just 12 months.

Syed Ahmed, who lives in Haworth and owns Moghuls on the Rocks, in North Street, is raising money for a charity called Penny Appeal to support an orphanage in Pakistan.

And he has undertaken this hugely demanding fundraiser despite having a long-term spinal condition called ankylosing spondylitis.

He completed the New York Marathon on November 5 and ran in the Bradford Half Marathon on October 29.

Mr Ahmed, who turned 50 in August, is due to run 10 miles in Stockport on December 3, before taking part in another half marathon in Milton Keynes on December 10 before his next marathon – the Portsmouth Coastal Marathon on December 17.

He is currently about half way through his 50 road race challenge, and has set himself the ambitious target of raising £50,000 by the time he finishes in August next year. He has already raised more than £5,000.

Commenting on his physical state since beginning the races, he said: "It is hard but I'm not feeling too bad, it's just a case of managing my body.

"I've already completed quite a few races so far, but I'm still feeling normal."

People can visit justgiving.com/fundraising/syeds50 to donate to Mr Ahmed's fundraising appeal online.