A Hungarian man has set off for the Olympic Games in London, planning to run 2,100 kilometres — the equivalent of 50 marathons — in 50 days to support young people.

Norman Varga’s running quest will take him from Budapest to London via Slovakia, Austria, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and The Netherlands.

On the way, the 25-year-old, who runs a foundation in Budapest dedicated to helping young people, will make three stops a day to talk to local children, civic organisations and representatives of local councils.

“I run to promote endurance and strong will,” Varga told AFP on the second day of his odyssey, which started Saturday.

“I want to be a role model through the things I do in my life,” added the former cage fighter who had his arm re-attached after a tram accident at 16.

Varga, accompanied by a doctor, a masseur, a cameraman, a photographer and a personal assistant traveling in a bus ahead of him, hopes to reach London on July 27 in time to attend the Olympic Games opening ceremony.