AN EX-soldier who is running 100 marathons in 100 weeks completed his 37th in Huddersfield.

And he enjoyed it so much, he’s coming back to do another one.

Simon Buckden did 23.2 laps around Greenhead Park to highlight the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Having served with the Royal Signals in Bosnia in the 90s, Simon saw horrific scenes.

On his return he suffered a range of traumatic symptoms including flashbacks and was later diagnosed with PTSD.

Now in a bid to raise the profile of the condition and raise money for Help for Heroes, he is hoping to run 100 marathons in 100 weeks.

Simon, who served as a corporal in the army for 12 years said: “Greenhead Park was my 37th marathon. The atmosphere was great and I enjoyed it so much I have decided to come back and do my 50th marathon in the town.

“The team from Park Run Huddersfield got in touch, as I am the director of Park Run in Roundhay, Leeds, and asked if I wanted to do a marathon at Greenhead.

“I was so thrilled with the reception in the park. Everybody was so supportive and people joined in the run along the way despite the rain.

“One of my friends ran his first full marathon at the park and other people achieved their personal bests.

“The group gave me a medal at the end of the marathon and also managed to raise £305 for Help for Heroes, which was fantastic.”

Park Run is a free weekly 5km event for runners of all standards, which takes place every Saturday at 9am at Greenhead Park.

Simon, of Bramley, started the challenge on February 6 with a 50-mile run alongside the Thames.

He expects to reach his century in January 2013.

Following his marathon in the park on Saturday, he went for a run the next day.

The 39-year-old said: “I aim to run one marathon a week but sometimes I will miss one and then catch up by running two in a week.

“But I have organised the challenge at my own pace.

“The marathons are really a way of raising awareness – people ask why I am running and we start talking about PTSD.

“It shows that physically I am very fit but psychologically I am not.

“I suffered PTSD because of my time in the services but now I am in touch with people who were diagnosed for all different reasons.

“I have around 25,000 followers on Twitter and to see some of the comments of support from other sufferers is amazing.

“People see that the running helps with the symptoms and that is really positive.

“Some people have even started running themselves because of seeing the 100 marathons challenge.

“That is great, as whatever helps other people with PTSD is fantastic.

“There is no cure for PTSD, you just get to know the symptoms and can spot them coming on, your family members and close friends get to recognise them also.”

For more information about Simon’s challenge visit http://www.raceto100.co.uk/ or for more information Greenhead’s weekly run go to www.parkrun.org.uk/huddersfield/home