A TEACHER in Bradford has completed an epic journey across the US to raise nearly £6,000 for Help for Heroes.

And Sam Boatwright capped his journey with a dream wedding to his fiancee.

Setting off from New York, Mr Boatwright, a 34-year-old teacher at St Bede’s and St Joseph’s School, ran 50 miles one day and cycled 150 miles the next to finish off the 3,000 mile challenge in Santa Monica, California.

After completing the arduous journey, he married his fiancee Kerry Germany in Las Vegas.

Mr Boatwright departed from New York’s Time Square and went through Philadelphia on his way to Chicago, where he joined the iconic Route 66, crossing America and finishing at Santa Monica pier 32 days later.

He said: “Although it was one of the hardest challenges of my life, everything about it was amazing.

“I wasn’t expecting it to be so hot. I felt like I was running and riding in a sauna.

“However, I really loved the American Midwest. The scenery was amazing and it felt like it was the real America because it wasn’t touristy. There were plenty of white picket fences and farms.”

He was joined on his journey by his fiancee, Kerry.

“Kerry was part of the support team and was with me all the way across America,” he said. “We finished up by getting married in Las Vegas. It was a fantastic way to end the trip.

“While I was running and cycling Kerry was in the RV doing the wedding planning.”

At the age of 29, Mr Boatwright completed his Epic Run (50 marathons in 50 days) around the UK coastline. He became widely known as the Epic Runner and raised £16,500 for Help for Heroes.

Comparing the two challenges, he said completing his latest challenge was more difficult.

“I was getting a bit older so I knew I couldn’t run every day and with the bike it allowed me to cover a lot of distance but it hurt me more this time,” he added.

“I lost two stone while I was there, and I had to remove two of my toenails because of the impact on my feet.

“I felt relieved to get to Santa Monica.”

He said arriving in the California coastal city was a great feeling, as he not only received rousing applause from his team members but other bystanders.

“My friends, my team and everyone else on the pier was started cheering for me,” he said.

To make a donation to Help for Heroes visit samboatwright.com