FRANCIS Benali has run many miles in the past few weeks. Around a thousand of them, all in aid of raising money for cancer research.

As a result, he has climbed ever higher in the estimation of all those who know him on the south coast.

This paper has devoted many column inches to Benali’s Big Run since it started towards the end of August, and there are a few more pages in today’s Echo.

We make no apologies for that.

Indeed, it would have been great to have seen Franny’s remarkable achievements – running around two marathons EVERY DAY for around three weeks – given greater coverage by other media.

There was hardly a mention of his achievement in any of the popular Sunday papers yesterday, and no mention at all on Match of the Day on Saturday night.

If a former Manchester United or Arsenal footballer had completed a similar fundraising run, it would have garnered far bigger headlines and air time.

Franny has so far raised around £120,000 for cancer research, and hopefully that figure will continue to rise even though his tired legs have taken him past the finishing line.

Anyone who has ever completed one marathon will know the dedication and training that goes into it. To have run around 35 of them on 21 successive days stretches credibility.

Franny, you are a modest man, and it’s not like you to talk yourself and your achievements up.

We will do it for you.

It’s been a superhuman effort by a remarkable human being.

Well done, Francis Benali. The city of Southampton and surrounding areas should salute you.