Marathon runner Jack Denness has become the oldest person to complete the gruelling 135-mile Badwater ultramarathon.

The 75-year-old completed the challenge in Death Valley, California, on Wednesday after almost 60 hours of walking in the blazing heat.

Jack, of Canon Close, Rochester, set off on Monday and jogged almost non-stop for the entire journey through the desert landscape.

His brief stops were for water, ice, energy beans and gels.

In addition to conquering tiredness and muscle pain, Jack also had to work his way through the hallucinations which were brought on by the heat, which reached 51C during the day, and only cooled to about 30C during the night.

Among those on his support team was Medway Messenger reporter Keyan Milanian, who said: "The longer I spend with ultramarathon runner in Death Valley, the more I am impressed with the man and his achievements.

"The landscape was unforgiving. Even the wind coming off the valley offers no respite.

"It was little more than a hot hairdryer in the face for the runners."

This was the 14th time Jack, known fondly as Death Valley Jack, has taken part in the Badwater ultramarathon.

Jack, who treated his feet with surgical spirit to toughen the soles before heading out to America, was sponsored by health products company Seven Seas, which is also 75 this year.

The company sent a film crew with Jack to cover his quest to become the oldest man to run the Badwater ultramarathon.

The pensioner was running to raise money for CPC Kent, based in View Road, Cliffe Woods. The charity runs the Smiley Steps centre for children with cerebral palsy.

To support Jack and help raise money, join the Facebook group called: Help Death Valley Jack get more fans than Usain Bolt.