Runner completes 15 marathons in 38 days for Wigan charity Joseph's Goal

A charity runner, who pledged to complete a marathon for every Wigan Athletic win of last season, has completed his epic challenge and raised thousands of pounds in the process.

Chris Devine signed up to the unthinkable task midway through last season, when the club were struggling for form and had recorded just five wins in 28 games.

But the club finished the season in storming form as they fought to stave off relegation from the Championship - ultimately in vain following a 12 point deduction for going into administration.

However, the team’s amazing run meant that 34-year-old Chris would be lacing up for 15 marathons, and even more incredible was that he managed to finish the daunting challenge in just 38 days. He even ran some of his miles barefoot!

The Stoke City fan was raising money for Joseph’s Goal - a charity named for Joe Kendrick, the son of Wigan Observer’s Latics reporter Paul Kendrick.

Joe has a rare life-limiting genetic disorder called nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH).

Chris ticked off the majority of his 393 miles on coastal roads and at Roundhay Park, near his home in Leeds.

Chris, whose previous charitable heroics include running five marathons in five days for Joseph’s Goal in 2016, said: “I wanted to do something bigger than five in five days.

“I started thinking about what I could do, and how I could make it Wigan related, particularly because Joseph is so well known in Wigan.

“After they won five of their first 28, I was thinking I wouldn’t be running that many! But then of course they started winning every week - it was getting pretty scary!”

The amazing feat has resulted in more than £3,500 in donations, which will rise to more than £4,300 when Gift Aid is applied, and Chris wished to thank everyone who has generously donated to the fund-raiser.

Donations can still be made to the fund-raiser at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ChrisDevineLaticsMarathons