Derek Cuthbertson, from Linwood, ran races in all kinds of conditions that were being held the length and breadth of Scotland.

The 41-year-old said he was spurred on in his physical endeavours by the thought of members of his family who have fought cancer.

In the past nine months he has raised more than £1,025 being collected in sponsorship for the 10k races in aid of Cancer Research.

And the dad-of-two is delighted with the amount as he had set himself a target of raising just £250 at the start of his year of races.

Derek, who is also the senior facility duty manager at Paisley’s Lagoon Leisure Centre, said: “I have family and friends who have all been victims of cancer and while some have survived, sadly others have not.

“I’ve been running for about two years and I decided to raise money for Cancer Research by taking part in as many 10k races as I could this year.

“I’m very grateful to my family, friends and work colleagues who have sponsored me and it’s brilliant that I raised so much more money than I first thought I would.” He added: “The first half of the year I was feeling really fit and doing the races was fine. But near the end of the year I was getting a bit worn out and found it a bit of a slog.

“But it was worth all the effort to raise as much money as I did for a very good cause.” But despite having taken part in more challenges over the last few months than most people would in a lifetime, Derek is certainly not planning to hang up his running shoes.

In fact he has set himself another gruelling challenge for 2015. He is going to take part in the Cape Wrath Challenge, a week-long series of races covering various distances and terrains.

And there is no doubt there will be many more for him to boast about in future.

Derek Gillespie, interim chief executive of Renfrewshire Leisure, praised his colleague’s determination in completing so many worthwhile challenges.

He said: “Running all those 10k races and raising so much money for Cancer Research is an amazing achievement for Derek.

“We encourage all our staff to set personal fitness targets each year and Derek has certainly surpassed his by a long way.” Anyone wishing to donate to Derek’s fundraising for Cancer Research can do so at www.justgiving.com/Derek-Cuthbertson/