A JET-setting runner is about to take part in his 200th marathon. Jack Brooks, who will be 57 on Tuesday, will travel to April s Nashville Marathon in Tennessee, the only American state where he hasn t run. Mr Brooks, who lives in Woodlea in Chiswell Gre

A JET-setting runner is about to take part in his 200th marathon.

Jack Brooks, who will be 57 on Tuesday, will travel to April's Nashville Marathon in Tennessee, the only American state where he hasn't run.

Mr Brooks, who lives in Woodlea in Chiswell Green, will be the second person from the UK to complete a marathon in all 50 US States. For his final American adventure, Mr Brooks is hoping to raise �10,000 for Grove House day hospice.

Mr Brooks, a charter surveyor, said that running abroad combined his two passions in life: "I enjoy running outside in the fresh air and I enjoy travelling, so competing in marathons across the globe is perfect for me."

He added: "I've run through Arizona with vultures circling above my head and I've jogged through a grizzly bear reserve in Montana - I'm always looking out for new and exciting marathons to complete."

Mr Brooks ran his first marathon, the London Marathon, aged 41 and has covered more than 5,200 marathon miles in 23 different countries since. The Nashville marathon, which Mr Brooks will run dressed as a Roman Centurion, is the first event he has decided to take part in for charity.

Said Mr Brooks: "I've raised a couple of hundred pounds for various local charities before, but this time I want to go big. I chose Grove House because I want my money to go straight to local elderly people who I believe don't get as much as they should do."

Mr Brooks said that, despite a couple of recent knee injuries, he will be running marathons for many years to come. Two weeks after his Nashville challenge, Mr Brooks will be back in the UK guiding a blind friend through a marathon in Essex.

Mr Brooks has so far raised around �1,200 and to help him reach his target you can sponsor him online at www.justgiving.com/jackbrooks1