A LOCAL man took his body to the limit when he ran to the summit of Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

David Marsden, from Belbroughton, had just 14 days to complete the African mountain race - the first of its kind - and a challenge that even the organisers didn't know was possible.

Running for between eight and 17 hours a day, David was one of only 12 people who managed to complete the challenge, raising £4,500 for Multiple Sclerosis.

David works as an account manager for Avery Berkel, in Birmingham, and caterer Aramark, which runs the staff restaurant, helped him reach his fundraising target by sponsoring him.

To train for such events David runs at least one marathon per week and, although he is at peak fitness, it is hard to believe that he suffers from asthma - a condition that developed when he was a child.

"I never let my asthma get in the way of my life", said David.

"Through exercise and a sensible diet I have managed to control it - it's not really an issue at all."

As an experienced runner, David prefers the challenge of a hilltop rather than the open road.

"I find road running very boring," admits the 36-year-old. "I prefer to run in the English countryside as there is much more to see - especially in Snowdonia - the scenery there is stunning and that really keeps you going."

The African challenge saw the runners cover more than 104 miles in the two-week period, with Mount Kilimanjaro being the highest peak at just under 20,000ft.

The diverse weather meant that, in the day, runners would face 35 degree heat and, at night, water bottles would freeze as temperatures plummeted.

"The high point of the run for me was definitely the finish!" admits David.

"I lost two stone and my wife was really concerned when I got home because I looked so much thinner.

"It will take me about six months to get back to my normal level of fitness - but I am looking for another challenge to keep me occupied next spring!"