FUNDRAISING friends who ran more than 100 miles along the Thames say they have "unfinished business" after the weather called time on their charity challenge.

Ewan Gordon, Bicester's answer to Forrest Gump, teamed up with running pal Timmy Osbourne to attempt 184 miles - the entire River Thames – in four days.

Unfortunately, a boggy and flooded start meant the pair were wading through knee-deep water.

This meant the challenge was going to take longer than expected and civil servant Mr Gordon could not get the extra time off work.

The 43-year-old said: "We started Friday morning and had to finish Monday afternoon as I had been called into work.

"The start was so water-logged, for about eight or nine miles we were knee-deep in water and it was dreadful for two days.

"In total we did about 118 miles over three days and have 75 miles to do, so for us it is unfinished business."

Brashfield Road resident Mr Gordon, and Mr Osbourne from Bure Park started the challenge from The Thames Head at Kemble, made their way through Oxford, joined the Bicester Park Run, on through South Oxfordshire, Reading and finished at Marlow.

The pair are raising money for charity Lifelites – which donates technology to hospices – in memory of "smashing little lad" from Bicester, Thomas Laurie.

Mr Gordon has now clocked up 55 marathons all in memory of the nine-year-old who passed away in February 2014 following a battle with Cockayne Syndrome – a rare genetic condition that causes premature ageing.

He said: "I never imagined it would get to this level.

"I was not fussed where it went, I am still running in memory of Thomas and for a cure.

"It is nice to be remembering a smashing little lad and still doing it."

Mr Gordon has grown his hair and beard long in the style of fictional running hero Forrest Gump after a friend promised to sponsor him more if he did.

Now, two years after Thomas passed away, Mr Gordon and a wider team of fundraisers have raised more than £50,000 for charity in his memory.

Team member Mr Osbourne has been running in Thomas's memory and over the weekend ran his longest length yet just one year after his first marathon.

Mr Gordon said: "Thomas's parents Cath and Richard are just really honoured that everyone wants to run for him and are alway delighted to see anyone running in Thomas' name.

"Running is my first love, I love the community of running.

"You meet so many different people and there are some serious runners out there doing 30 or 40 miles a day - that's another level.

"A positive to take out of this is that we learnt lots about our own ability and Timmy did a great job - we will finish it."

To follow Mr 'Forrest' Gordon's fundraising feats see @MarathonMason