When runners line up to begin the London Marathon today, a Kent fundraiser aims to join them having just completed the course an incredible three times.

Ruden Bhutia, from Chatham, will rack up 104.8 miles doing the route four times in 24 hours – facing sleep exhaustion, hunger and muscle fatigue.

“I think my immediate family were worried about my health and told me to be careful,” the 33-year-old said.

“They asked me ‘have you realised what you're attempting to do here?’

“I don't think too much about it. I don't get nervous.

“I just decided I'm going to do it and then get it done. I like to challenge myself.”

More than 14,000 participants have registered for the event, which takes place today (April 21).

The 26.2-mile route begins in Greenwich and passes by iconic buildings such as the London Eye, Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.

It will finish at The Mall, where those taking part will be cheered across the line by spectators.

Unlike other runners who may aim to beat a personal best or wear fancy dress – Ruden has decided on a very different approach.

He aims to complete three laps of the route overnight before getting back in time for the official London Marathon.

Starting at 5pm on Saturday, he will be racking up a total of 104.8 miles within 24 hours.

It will be his fourth official London Marathon. Despite the mammoth task ahead of him, Ruden says he doesn’t do much to prepare.

Last year, he completed the course three times in one sitting and regularly signs up for running challenges.

“I just go and do it really,” he said. “I don't follow a strict diet – I just eat, drink and keep moving.

“That's it. If someone came to me with a Domino's halfway through, I'd eat it.”

Today in his fourth and final lap, Ruden will face aching muscles, hunger and sleep deprivation.

“I'm just going to have to keep pushing,” he added.

“I don't think I've got time for any sleep. The only chance I might have is before the third and fourth lap.”

Ruden, who works for a fibre optic cabling company, decided to take up running seven years ago.

His father, Tashi Bhutia, was in the Brigade of Gurkhas and his mother, Vicky Tamang, was in the Navy.

Both were stationed in Hong Kong when they first met.

In his later life, Tashi became a councillor and represented the Princes Park ward in Chatham. He passed away in July 2021.

Inspired by his parents' resilience and strong sense of community, Ruden founded “Runderbolts” – a group with a mission to bring diversity and excitement to running.

Despite this, he doesn’t class himself as a serious runner.

“At school, I wasn't really into athletics or running,” he explained.

“I used to play football – so I was sporty, but didn't enjoy running.

“When I got older and started running with people, that's when I enjoyed it because it had a sense of purpose.

“You can see how it can change people's lives and change your own life.”

He added: “It's like therapy. It gets you through whatever you're going through.

“You can clear your mind, you can explore new places.

“Running with a community you can connect more, meet new people and encourage each other.”

As part of the challenge, Ruden is raising money for the Mira Rai Initiative.

The non-government organisation was founded in 2017 and aims to support trail-running communities in Nepal.

This year it plans to build the first ever training camp to help get underprivileged girls from rural villages into athletics.

Ruden has set a target of £10,000 on GoFundMe. So far he has raised £1,670.

If you would like to donate, please click here.

For those completing the marathon today, Ruden jokingly added that “dodgy knee pain” is temporary, but a medal “lasts forever”.

“Everyone has different reasons as to why they're doing it,” he explained.

“You make the rules. You don't need to go at any particular speed, just covering that distance is such a huge achievement.

“So enjoy the crowd and have fun!”