A regional daily sports journalist who was diagnosed with arthritis five years ago has completed the final stretch of a year-long challenge by running two half-marathons and a 10km race in September.

Northern Echo sports reporter Richard Mason, pictured left, set himself the goal of running more than 60 miles in 2013 and has now raised £750 for the Finlay Cooper Fund and Alzheimer’s Society in memory of his grandmother.

The 30-year-old, who suffers from osteoarthritis, finished Sunday’s Redcar Half Marathon in two hours and 12 minutes after completing the Sabic Tees Pride 10k in Middlesbrough and Great North Run earlier in the month.

The father-of-one had already completed the Half Marathon of the North in April, the Tees Barrage 10k in May, the 5k Riverside Run in June and last month’s Darlington 10k.

Richard said he was happy to complete Sunday’s event as his hips had been hurting.

“I am proud to have raised cash for two deserving charities this year,” he said.

The Finlay Cooper Fund was set up by former Middlesbrough footballer Colin Cooper and his wife Julie after their son died in 2002 after a choking accident.

To support Richard’s fundraising efforts visit his donation page.