I ran three of Saints legend Francis Benali’s 1,000-mile quest to run between all 20 Premier League clubs.

I will tell you now, it doesn’t say in my job description that I’m meant to be a finely tuned athlete and, therefore, I am not.

The aches and pains soon set in soon after I’d finished and I was completely knackered as we reached QPR's Loftus Road, the 14th club on his epic run that will see him run the equivalent of 35 marathons in 21 consecutive days.

It made me admire even more how Benali is still battling his way through this superhuman challenge, but is still remaining humble.

The former Dell favourite reached London after 18 days of his epic 21-day challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

That's 40 to 50 miles a day, which puts into perspective my achievement of three miles, slightly.

Finish line It is now just two days until he aims to cross his finish line at St Mary’s, when Saints take on Newcastle in the Premier League, and was joined by good friend and former team-mate Matt Le Tissier, who had already run with him around the hills surrounding Burnley earlier in the challenge.

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The pair of them chatted like old times as they dodged their way through traffic, market stalls and school trips giving high fives as we passed as they battled their way through the metropolis of London.

And there I am, a not particularly mean, lean running machine, more weed than speed, just wanting to run alongside to discover how on earth Franny is doing the equivalent of nearly two marathons a day.

I just couldn't turn down the opportunity to run alongside these two Saints heroes.

As I stepped into their stride, Franny turned to me, shook my hand and asked how my journey up had been and how I was doing.

Nothing suggests that he’s run more than 800 miles in just over two weeks – apart from a pretty decent tan. It was as if I’d nipped round to his house for a spot of brunch or something. Franny is beyond just a footballing hero now.

He's a medical marvel, a running machine, and still, despite going through a world of pain as he nears the final throws of his challenge, he remains a complete gentleman.

I would challenge anyone to be that chirpy after covering that mileage every day since August 24.

That, in my eyes, is one of the most amazing things about his challenge. That it's done in the Benali way. Through the pain, the ups and downs, he remains that welcoming modest bloke, willing to chat to anyone as he works his way across the country.

I couldn't believe it. What an absolute legend this bloke is.

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As we hot stepped round bus stops and hectic traffic, a Saints fan on Vespa scooter joined and escorted us up to the stadium, honking his horn and whipping up support.

Even this far from St Mary's and with two full days still to run, the crest emblazoned on the fans shirt and the familiar red and white spurred Le Tiss and Benali on.

I'm no salad dodger but this is beyond fitness, what Benali is doing.

It's about pure determination. And to be fair, although Le Tiss has always had a hard time about his work rate in his playing days, the 20 miles that he did with his mate is real testament to their relationship – although he did sit down and have Mars bar and a Coke when he got to Loftus Road.

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When we finally found Benali after playing a 45-minute game of find Franny, as casual as you like, Gordon 'Flash' Watson, the ex-Saints player who lent his support for the day, was handing out chocolate buttons – the Saints family spirit is fully on tour with Benali.

The conversation en route to QPR was about Le Tiss and Benali playing at Loftus Road together.

They recalled the plastic pitch that used to be there and thought the ground is much like The Dell, where the duo made their names.

There have been so many ups and downs in this epic challenge.

But Benali admitted that he doesn't look too far forward and hasn't even had time to look back on what he's achieved so far.

One of his knees has caused him some discomfort and, while it's a concern, all Franny is concentrating on is the next goal – making the next road or the next stadium, it is all about cutting the day into manageable chunks.

Early on in the big run Fran admitted that was constantly thinking about the finish at St Mary’s, but soon felt that it was going destroy him and is taking it minute by minute, hour by hour now.

I joined him after he'd navigated through the longest expanse without a stadium visit – before arriving at QPR in the afternoon.

It was Sunday since he was at Swansea's Liberty Stadium.

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After that he crossed the Severn Bridge and coursed his way through rural areas, stopping in Swindon and heading back out into the wilderness of Oxfordshire, where he started yesterday morning.

It was only this morning that he finally found civilisation again, but he’s maintained his image.

Although he's still sporting a sculpted face of stubble, the comparisons with Forrest Gump are becoming too hard to ignore.

It feels like he's going keep running for a lot longer – just like Gump.

I wouldn't be surprised if he got to St Mary's and just ran out the tunnel and carried on until he reached Land's End.

I half feel that Franny should have just let his facial hair blossom into a similar look to Gump.

Of course Fran's route has been mapped out with military precision, unlike Tom Hanks's character.

And Franny’s life isn’t like a box of chocolates it’s more like a box of isotonic drinks and energy gels – I bet he can’t wait to get on the sofa on Saturday night!

In all, running alongside side him, even for just three miles, really makes it hit home that when Francis Benali is on a mission, not much will stop him.

• To sponsor Franny, text BIGR55 followed by the amount you would like to donate (e.g. BIGR55 £5) to 70070.

Alternatively, visit benalisbigrun.com where you can also chart his progress.