The Paralympics and world T42 200 metres champion undertook the challenge from August 13 to September 23 in order to raise money for British charities and awareness for the Paralympic Movement.

"When finishing my epic 977-mile run from John O'Groats to Land's End, I was overwhelmed with emotion for the great feat that I had achieved," said Whitehead.

"This was an event with no gold medals, but breaking down new barriers in sport, and providing hope, opportunity and inspiration for others was what my main goal was.

"It means a lot to be recognised by the IPC and by the public that have given their time to vote for me."

Several members of the public supported the Paralympian by joining him for 5km, 10km and in some cases full marathons along the way.

Fellow British Paralympians Dan Greaves and Dame Sarah Storey joined up with him, as did British Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington.

Richard Whitehead ran across Britain, covering 40 marathons in 40 days

"The toughest part of the journey was the massive hills that I was having to climb day after day from around Day 30," Whitehead said.

"Also, despite getting the big blisters, I had to keep going 26.2 miles every day."

Whitehead beat Australian triathlete Bill Chaffey, Brazilian football five-a-side player Jefferson da Conceicao Goncalves, Russian sitting volleyball player Tatiana Ivanova, South African wheelchair tennis player Lucas Sithole and Ukrainian wheelchair dancer Illona Slugovyna to take the prestigious award.

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