SURGEONS helped a runner from Colden Common to overcome breaking his leg twice to complete one of Britain's toughest marathons.

Self-employed IT businessman, Steve Dunnico, started to run endurance events five years ago when he turned 40.

He has now completed more than 10 marathons in such far-flung destinations as Paris, Stockholm, and the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, USA.

However, earlier this year after a snowboarding accident in January he had to shelve his running shoes.

The crash resulted in a fracture to his fibula, and he was unable to run for two months.

By late March the father-of-one was training again, but lightning was to strike twice.

While in America, Mr Dunnico slipped and fell, and landed heavily on his left side.

Despite being in great pain, he flew home, and visited the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester for checks.

He expected to receive a plaster cast along with orders to abstain from running for a few weeks.

However, his injuries were more serious, and he had sustained multiple fractures to his left tibia, fibula and ankle.

After surgery, he spent several weeks on crutches and had to keep his left leg elevated.

He missed two marathons during the summer, and was worried that his "nemesis", an event at Mount Snowdon in Wales, would also pass by.

He had completed the challenge before, but knew that the race at the highest peak in Wales was not for the faint-hearted.

As it turned out, Mr Dunnico had recovered sufficiently to take the start line on Saturday, October 27.

Four and a half hours and 26-miles later in dank conditions, he had completed the event.

"I felt fantastic as I cleared the finish line. It was a little slower than last year but I was so grateful for the RHCH team's precision work that enabled me to run again.

"I wish to thank the orthopaedic team under Mr Shetty for a job very well done," he added.