Marathon man Mark Vaz on course for run number 172
The indefatigable Mark Vaz is on course to complete 172 marathons by tomorrow after refusing to take a Christmas break in his exhausting schedule.
The window cleaner from Penkridge even ran two marathons on Christmas Day - rewarding himself with two turkey dinners, two puddings and lots of chocolate.
And he has has not stopped since, planning to welcome in the new year in Scotland where he will run marathons in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
But he spoke of having to deal with 'negative comments' from people who have criticised his mammoth project of attempting to run 400 marathons in 365 days.
He said: "They call it boring because most of the runs are around Cannock Chase, Penkridge, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Wombourne and Stafford. But I have to keep working so I can't afford the time or the money to travel further afield to run.
"It gets me down sometimes. They don't realise how hard it is to fit in the marathons around my job. Paying the bills is more important than travelling to different places to run. Physically I'm in good shape but I struggle mentally with comments like that."
He funds the project himself but has lately been boosted by an offer from The Holiday Inn who sponsor his accommodation if has to travel.
On Monday(28th) he completed his 168th marathon in the respectable time of four hours and 28 minutes, deliberately choosing a hilly course to test himself. The 31-year-old followed up by running the 26.2 mile distance twice yesterday.
Originally he set himself the target of running 90 marathons in 90 consecutive days, a total of 2,340 miles, but wanted to raise more money so continued his fundraising-running quest. He started the challenge on July 7.
Included in next year's programme is a run between Lands End and John O'Groats - and back again. The return journey will put him in the record books as he will be running without any form of vehicle support or back-up.
He also hopes to complete the distance in a record time - writing himself into the history books twice. He is looking for sponsors for the challenge to help meet his costs, he said.
The qualified fitness instructor has so far been raising money for the charity Tommy's after he and his wife Tammy endured six miscarriages and found the organisation a huge help.
Now he is running for Adoption UK, a charity which resonates with him because he was adopted himself.
* To support Mark see the website
