British ultra-runner clocked 6:40:35 to beat 10-year-old mark at Canterbury Christ Church University

Britain's world 50km silver medallist Phil Anthony ran 100km on a treadmill in 6:40:35 on Wednesday to break a 10-year-old world record.

The Kent runner described the record attempt, which took place at Canterbury Christ Church University where he works, as "one of the toughest challenges" he has ever faced both physically and mentally.

It was the first time that the 33-year-old, who finished second in last month’s IAU World 50km Trophy in Doha, had run the distance.

The previous world 100km treadmill mark recognised by Guinness World Records was 7:21:41 held by Canada's Arulanantham Suresh Joachim.

"I am absolutely over moon with managing to break the world record," said Anthony, a PhD student and university instructor in the School of Human and Life Sciences.

"I found this to be one of the toughest challenges I have faced so far both mentally and physically and I really don’t think this would have been possible without the help and support that I received from everyone at Canterbury Christ Church University throughout.

"There are so many people to thank for this but I would above all like to thank my wife Anna who not only helped me during the event but in the months leading up to this attempt."

Anthony, who switched from duathlon to set a marathon PB of 2:16:40 in 2012 and has run 2:58:06 for 50km, had spent time in the run-up to the record attempt high-altitude training in Kenya.