A Welshman has set a new record for running the entire length of the Wales Coast Path and the first thing he did after crossing the line was go for a curry.

Rhys Jenkins, 32, completed the gruelling 870-mile route in just over 20 days after running over 40 miles every day.

Starting in Chester on July 21, Rhys finally made it to Chepstow at 6.30pm on Monday evening shaving two and a half hours off the previous record.

Ultra marathon runner crossing the finish line in Chepstow on Monday evening
Rhys set a new record of 20 days 10 hours and 38 minutes for completing the Wales Coast Path

Staggering into the arms of his wife Cerys Jones, who supported him every step of the way, Rhys was overwhelmed by the supporters who had turned out to capture his monumental achievement. After soaking up their well wishes and taking time to thank everyone who had helped him stay positive along the way, Rhys said he had a "craving" for a curry.

But looking for the nearest curry is not straightforward after a record-breaking run and he was so delirious from the efforts of the past three weeks, Rhys managed to drive to the wrong curry house. In the end had to wait until he got home to Cardiff for his well-deserved dinner.

Speaking back at home in Cardiff on Tuesday morning, Rhys said it was odd to feel carpet under his feet again.

The ultra marathon runner, who is no stranger to feats of endurance, said: "I started off running seven miles at a time before having a rest but by the end I was running 20 miles. After a while you just adapt.

"Now I'm back home it's just trying to get back into normal life. I'm walking around and it's weird to feel carpet under my feet - I haven't had that for so long. It's weird not to have to get up and run 40-odd miles too."

He reckons he has lost up to a stone in weight during the 20 days.

Rhys had set an ambitious target of completing the run in 19 days when he set off from Chester but in the end was over the moon with the official time of 20 days 10 hours and 38 minutes.

Rhys says he lost up to a stone over the three weeks
The sun came out for the section between St Davids and Dale in Pembrokeshire
Running with his brother Scott in Rhosneigr in north Wales

It took careful planning from Cerys and Rhys' coach Lawrence Cronk, from Enduraprep, to get the runner over the line in time.

"They sat down and worked out how far I needed to run, and I trust Lawrence, and it paid off," Rhys said.

"I was running until midnight on Sunday, then slept in the van for maybe four hours and then they said you've got to get up and run for the finish line."

The weather was "typically Welsh" for most of the challenge - grey and overcast - but there were moments of warm sunshine and torrential downpours along the way, said Rhys, who was overwhelmed by the support he received along the way.

The toughest stretch was probably the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Rhys added. The entire coastal route has a total elevation of around one and a half times higher than Mount Everest.

The previous record was held by James Harcombe from New Zealand, who set a time of 20 days 12 hours and 55 minutes on May 2, 2017.

Rhys raised £4,500 for the CF Warriors, NSPCC and Maggie's Cardiff charities. You can still donate here.