Run With Mark

My name is Mark Cooper, I am 27 years old and I live in Edinburgh. I have always wanted to push myself to my physical and mental limits but was unsure of how to do this. All I knew was that I wanted an adventure which would involve both of these elements. I started running in 2007 after being a heavy smoker and regular drinker for 8 years. I quickly progressed from running 12 miles each week to 45 miles each week. Through this and other forms of exercise I developed a high level of fitness.

In April 2009 I cycled, with a friend from Lands End to John O Groats and since then I have been keen to push my limits once more. I decided this would have to be something that would truly test me and expose what it is that I am really made of. On the 17th September 2009 I decided that I would attempt an ultra endurance running event through Europe. I quickly came up with the idea of running from Amsterdam to Barcelona mainly because there is an existing route written for cyclists by Paul Benjaminse. The total mileage is 1,310 and basing this on an 8 week expedition it works out at an unnerving 50 marathons in 56 days.

I am doing this in aid of a local charity called The Edinburgh Headway Group, they are a charity close to my heart as one of their members was a help to my Father in 1997 when my Mother passed away. I aim to raise £25,000 for the charity through the actual run and other fundraising events in the coming months. You can read all about this at my website which is, www.runwithmark.com.

Please feel free to contact me if you want to donate anything from pieces of kit, funds or even to offer me some words of encouragement.

Before I push my body to its limits I plan to run the Chris Hoy Edinburgh Half Marathon, there are many reasons for this but the event takes in my beautiful hometown of Edinburgh and the event is very well organised. Everyone who manages to organise a mass running event deserve unconditional praise as the amount of work involved is substantial to say the least.

I would like to appeal to the runners of the CHEHM to get behind my attempt and spread the word of runwithmark. I look forward to running with you all on Sunday 18th April 2010 and please do come up and say hello, I will be sporting kit branded with my event logo for all to see.

Warmest regards
Mark
07971 142 428

For more info see: www.runwithmark.com
To make a donation see: www.justgiving.com/markcoopermakingheadway

“When all else fails, start running!”
Photograph of Mark in Princes Street Gardens courtesy of Keith Dumble