Martin Parnell aims to run 250 marathons this year to raise money for charity. (Courtesy of Martin Parnell)

A 54-year-old Alberta man is running his 10th marathon — of the year — on Wednesday.

When he crosses the finish, Martin Parnell of Cochrane will have just 240 marathons to run this year.

Parnell has pledged to complete 250 marathons in one year in a bid to raise $250,000 for Right to Play, a children's sports charity.

The semi-retired engineer has already run about 400 kilometres but needs to run about 10,100 more. Parnell plans to run one 42-kilometre marathon every day from Sunday through Thursday every week.

"Just keep going and see where we end up," he said before run number 10.

Parnell is still on track to reach his goal, although incorrect pacing made for a disagreeable run earlier this week, he said.

"It was horrible," Parnell said. "I had gone out too fast. I was hoping to do less than five hours in the marathon. I thought, this is going good. I hit kilometre 30 and the legs just said, 'no, not running,' and I had to basically get my head around walking quite a bit and a little bit of running."

Running partner Roy Ellis has supported Parnell by joining him for three marathons.

"Who knows what tomorrow will bring," Ellis said. "We're here to support him in any way we can, and I guess we'll have to drag him across the finish line. I guess we'll do that, too."

Sue Work, Parnell's wife, said she is certain he will achieve his goal.

While running, Parnell said, all he thinks about is food.

"Whether it's chocolate milk or fish and chips or a bowl of stew, it's foods," he said. "There's nothing else you think about."

Most of the marathons Parnell plans to run are located near his home on an official route. About 16 of his planned runs will be unofficial marathons.