AN artist has completed a 100 kilometre “dreadmill” challenge to raise money for charity.

Dr Tim Brennan, an associate dean in the University of Sunderland’s faculty of arts, design and media, completed his run after 14 hours on a treadmill with no rest and fed only bananas, kiwi fruits and herbal tea.

Taking place in the university’s CitySpace gym facilities, the 48-year-old ran continuously throughout the day to raise money for the Soi Dogs Charity.

The charity rehomes stray dogs from Thailand in the UK, with key co-ordinators from Sunderland.

During the run, Dr Brennan burned 7,000 calories, ate seven bananas, seven kiwi fruits and a regular intake of yerba mate tea.

He said: “I’ve run lots of marathons and 100 kilometre plus runs in the past, but never on a treadmill and I find it much tougher.

"I started at 7am in the morning and to finish within 14 hours was beyond what I expected to do. I’m delighted.

“The reason I do long distances is because it is all part of a way of life for me and accesses the bigger picture.

“I’m running on the road to nowhere to test my body.”

Dr Brennan, of from Ashbrooke, Sunderland, only began running eight years ago and as his passion grew for the activity he started raising money for good causes after completing the 26.2 mile London Marathon and Sunderland’s new Marathon of the North three years ago.

He has produced a celebrated body of work through performance, photography, sculpture, writing, drawing, curating and teaching since 1987.

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