Gaunt, haggard and caked in blood, Simon Goldsmith looked barely alive – and he still had the “world’s dullest marathon” ahead of him.

Ipswich Star: Simon Goldsmith dressed as a 'zombie' Elvis Presley sets out on the 'world's dullest marathon'. Picture: BRAD JONESSimon Goldsmith dressed as a 'zombie' Elvis Presley sets out on the 'world's dullest marathon'. Picture: BRAD JONES (Image: Archant)

The 43-year-old entertainer and Royal Mail worker had decided to dress as “zombie” Elvis Presley to complete 17 laps of a Suffolk housing estate for charity.

Prior to this afternoon’s event, he had described the mile and a half circuit of Eagle Way, in his childhood village of Martlesham Heath, as “mind-numbingly” boring. While London Marathon runners take in such inspiring sights as the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace, Mr Goldsmith said the most interesting landmarks to be seen from his route were a scout hut, pub and the BT tower.

Asked how it lived up to his expectations after completing it in around five-and-a-quarter hours, he said: “It didn’t disappoint.”

Although Mr Goldsmith shows little enthusiasm for the route - it was actually his second time undertaking the challenge.

The first marathon in 2015 saw friends and family join him on laps of the Eagle Way course, collecting more than £2,000 as a tribute to his parents, who raised him in a home near to the course. It was his father’s death in 2009 that inspired Mr Goldsmith to quit smoking and take up running. He has gone on to run five marathons for charity since.

This time round, even more people joined him on the course, some running the best part of a marathon themselves.

“It took a long time and there were people cheering me on today for the best part of six hours and so for that support I’m really incredibly grateful,” he added.

“I got to about 16 miles and I did not have a huge amount left in me - but I think most people were quite thankful of that.”

Donations from yesterday’s challenge will go to Macmillan Cancer Support, a cause Mr Goldsmith wanted to support after two friends he met through his Elvis skit were affected by the illness. Tracy Davies died earlier this year, while Mark Pritchard is awaiting the results of radiotherapy.

After completing the challenge he enjoyed a “quick shandy” in the Douglas Bader pub. And then he was off to perform as Elvis at a 50th birthday party in Woodbridge.

Visit here to sponsor Mr Goldsmith.