A SIXTY year-old father-of-two has defied the odds - and his many doubters - by completing a staggering five marathons in five days.

Daniel Dancygier lost more than two stone during the incredible feat, which has so far raised more than £2,000 for University College Hospital London, where his wife Rosalind was treated for cancer before her death two years ago.

Mr Dancygier, of Somerset Close, South Woodford, completed the 210km challenge at Virgin Active Gym in Chigwell, where he earned the nickname, ‘The Crazy Frenchman’ for his superhuman efforts.

The former banker, who lost more than two stone in the process, covered each 26.2 mile run in a shorter time on each consecutive day - completing the final marathon in just four and a half hours.

He said: “I’m slightly amazed myself that I did it to be honest.

“I am 60, but I don’t feel it, and I had someone coming up to me while I was running in the gym, who said ‘not bad for a 45 year-old’ which was quite nice.

“I trained for more than six months before attempting the marathons, and made sure that I took plenty of water and salt replacement on, and ate plenty of bananas.”

Mr Dancygier said he was determined to raise money for the hospital because of the ‘wonderful’ treatment his wife received during her battle with mouth cancer.

The widower - whose achievement has prompted comparisons with explorer Ranulph Fiennes’ famous completion of seven marathons on seven continents in seven days - has admitted that he does not even enjoy running.

He said: “I hate running, but I need to set my self projects to fulfil, and this was another one of those.

“My friends and family thought I was mad, and many people thought I couldn’t do it, but I’m glad I proved them wrong.”

Mr Dancygier, who runs his own wine tasting business, has encouraged people to continue donating money to his fund.

He is already planning his next challenge - a 100km row which will take more than seven hours to complete.

To support Daniel visit: justgiving.com/dancygierfellowship