A bearded menswear expert has smashed the world’s biggest half-marathon in aid of an Ayrshire charity.
Declyn Cooper known as the 'Bearded Buyer' pounded the streets of Newcastle-upon-Tyne as he took on the Great North Run to raise cash for Whiteleys Retreat.
The 31-year-old, who works as buyer at menswear giant Slaters and runs his own fashion label, The Bearded Buyer, took to the Toon for his longest run yet, raising £1,140 for the charity.
Whiteleys, based in Alloway, are only a quick jog away from Declyn who stays in Doonfoot.
Declyn has told how his bond grew with the vital escape for children and their families after he spent time in lockdown volunteering to help tidy up their garden.
And in January 2021, he ran a 5K every day for 31 days in aid of the organisation – raising more than £500.
This time, he took one hour 49 minutes to complete a gruelling 13.1 miles on the iconic route which starts in the city and finishes at the coast in South Shields.
And Declyn, whose mum and dad Serena and Raymond Cooper own Prestwick pub the Golf Inn, admits it wasn’t just the distance that proved a struggle after returning with sunburn to his face!
Declyn told Ayrshire Live: “I can’t believe I got sunburnt in September in Newcastle but it was absolutely worth it.
“It was a great event. There wasn’t a quiet part of the run at all.
“It was unseasonably warm at 17 degrees, it was quite muggy and it did get sunnier as the run progressed. It made it a harder run in the heat.
“At 11 miles, it got really tough. I could happily have just gone to the pub! Once I seen the coast at South Shields, I knew I was there.
“There as a grandstand finish as well which was great.”
Declyn was supported on the run by pal Lee Simpson, 32, who used the Great North Run as preparation for the upcoming Loch Ness marathon.
Now Declyn hopes to follow in his footsteps and has set his sights on a marathon for Whiteleys.
He added: “It’s definitely something I am thinking about now I’ve overcome a half-marathon. That would be the next natural step.”
You can still donate to Decyln's Great North Run fundraiser here.
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
