Drymen runner James Semple is hitting the streets of Stirling today for the second leg of a gruelling three-week endurance challenge.
The 24-year-old is taking on the effort of running 20 marathons in 20 days leading up to him taking part in the London Marathon on October 2.
James picked up the running habit during lockdown last year and completed the West Highland Way in just 29 hours that year - raising more than £11,000 for the SAMH mental health charity in the process.
He detailed his own personal journey with anxiety and depression ahead of that challenge – and he is continuing that recognition of the importance of mental health by raising money for Mind on this occasion.
The first of James’s 20 marathons took place in Glasgow yesterday and he’s pounding the pavements around Stirling for his second 26 mile run today.
He will then criss-cross the UK with a series of marathons, making his way down towards the capital where he hopes to complete his fundraiser on the finishing line at the Mall.
James said: “I had the idea of doing the London Marathon this year and I love doing the challenges that really test your physical and mental ability so that’s how it all came about. Initially the plan was to run the 400 miles or so from Glasgow to London and head straight down but we worked out the mileage would be the same doing the 20 marathons in 20 days.
“Running has had a profound impact on my mental health because it offers a reminder to me to that I am mentally strong and being out on the run with only my own thoughts is my way of being away from the noise and helps me think about things more clearly and rationally.
“Mental health is extremely important to me and anyone who knows me from the previous challenge knows how much I enjoy doing something for a cause – it’s all about trying to make a positive impact.”
An online fundraiser for James has so far crossed the £4,300 mark at time of going to press and the Drymen lad is hoping to drum up more support as he runs through some of the country’s top cities in the coming days.
“My family have been unbelievable and I don’t know where I would be without them; my sister and my dad are joining me for the full 20 days and my mum is joining me in Manchester and they’re acting as my support team helping with logistics, accommodation, nutrition and kit.
“I’ve got mixed emotions ahead of it all starting; it’s been on my mind for the last few months so I’m super excited but it’s also quite daunting and it can become overwhelming so it’s just a case of breaking up the runs into manageable parts.
“Finishing the West Highland Way last year and hugging my mum at the end was one of the best days of my life compared to where I was the previous summer mentally so I’ll just be thinking about that feeling again.”
For anyone wishing to donate to James’s fundraiser, they can do so at justgiving.com/fundraising/james-semple2.
