A GRIEVING widower set himself the mammoth challenge of running 100 marathons when his wife was dying of breast cancer.

Now David Freeborn, from Hove, has completed a staggering 79 marathons in five years, and says running has helped him cope with losing his wife.

Emma Freeborn was tragically diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2005 — only a month after she married David. She died, aged 34, seven years later.

Mrs Freeborn had been told of her husband’s marathon mission before her death on February 4, 2012, and said she believed in him and urged him to do it.

Mr Freeborn, 37, an Albion in the Community teacher originally from Bolton, completed his 78th race in Chester on October 5, five years after running his first marathon in London.

As if the challenge was not tough enough, Mr Freeborn plans to complete his 100th marathon barefoot.

He is launching a renewed fundraising push for the Breast Cancer Campaign as he edges closer to the completion of a remarkable century.

He said: “Running was a bit of escapism. I wanted to cause myself pain at the time. It was good that I was hurting. It makes you realise, these people who are suffering are in so much pain. I wanted to run for all those people who could not because of their health.

“Emma was very proud of me and very supportive. She was the only person who said ‘go for it’ and didn’t think it was mad at all.”

Mrs Freeborn raised money for the Breast Cancer Campaign before her death and completed a charity walk along the Great Wall of China, as well as speaking on behalf of the campaign at Downing Street and the House of Lords.

Her work saw her win Cosmopolitan’s Woman of the Year award and earn an invitation to a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Mr Freeborn met Emma at Bradford University when the pair were students.

On the affect his wife’s death has had on him, he said: “It changed the whole world really. I don’t moan about things any more.

“The marathons help me through. If I run out of water or my knee hurts, I just think pull yourself together, that is not real pain.

“I will never forget her and you do appreciate every day, trying to keep a positive outlook on things. She had done so much for her charity and was determined to make something good happen.”

Having run in Barcelona, Amsterdam, Venice and Paris, Mr Freeborn ran his 79th race in Fowlmead in Kent on Saturday.

To donate to Mr Freeborn’s fundraiser, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/100marathondave.