What a fortnight Jon Huggins is having.

After months of intensive training and preparation, the 30-year-old Manager with business and tax advisory firm Inspire didn’t just finish – but actually won – his first full-distance marathon.

And not just any marathon but one of the country’s most gruelling – the Purbeck Marathon – with stunning views and scenery but also 2,000 feet of climbs.

Jon ran the race in an impressive 3 hours 49 minutes coming first in the 26.88 mile challenge despite stiff competition from dozens of other experienced trail runners.

He also smashed his fundraising target, raising £909 for Julia’s House.

And at the weekend he married his fiancée, Rachel Parker, a yoga, pilates and fitness instructor.

The couple, pictured, first met while working at Inspire eight years ago.

Rachel now has her own business, Revive with Rachel, based in Poole.

As his first marathon, Jon wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

But with Rachel and other family members there to see him start in almost-perfect weather conditions, he was feeling positive and looking forward to fulfilling his long-held ambition of completing a trail marathon.

Initially following the South West Coastal Path out of Swanage, the marathon route was hilly but spectacular.

After eight miles, Jon felt good and was pacing himself well and fuelling his body – but he didn’t know how many people were in front of him.

It wasn’t until just over half-way, coming towards Corfe Castle, a spectator told Jon that he was in third place – and that second place was not far ahead.

Jon said it was just the motivation he needed to press on.

Within a mile he had caught, and overtaken, the second-placed runner.

In Corfe Castle village Jon’s sister and mum were there to cheer him on, before more hills on the long push towards Studland.

Running solo at this point, and with no sign of either first or third place, he dug deep.

Just before 20 miles, Jon was told by another spectator that he was catching up with first place.

It gave another spur of motivation as Jon realised that he might not just be able to complete the race, but could be in with a shot of winning it!

Passing his remaining challenger, and now leading the race, Jon had a gruelling five and a half miles of steep climbs and opposing descents.

As he descended towards the finish in Swanage, he could see second place starting to make up some ground behind him – but Jon was determined to keep pushing hard all the way to the finish.

Surprising himself, and delighting his excited and cheering family, Jon won the race, taking the trophy for first male.

Jon said: “After training hard for so long, I was just delighted to complete the marathon in a respectable time.

“To actually win the race was a real surprise for me.

“But the icing on the cake was raising so much money for Julia’s House.

“It’s such an incredible charity and I’m pleased to have been able to support their work in a very small way.

“Having the marathon behind me, I can now definitely look forward to our wedding and our honeymoon.

“I’ve been juggling the training and wedding preparation for the last few months, so I can now relax and enjoy the day!”