Shropshire Star

Marathon man Mark set to complete 90th run in 90 days

A Shropshire-born fundraiser who is close to completing his target of 90 marathons in 90 days has decided that he hasn't run enough – and is now planning to hit the 400 mark.

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"I know there are only 365 days a year but some days I'll double up," said Mark Vaz, who completes his 90th marathon in Chester today.

"It sounds ambitious but I've done it before, plus I'm doing Land's End to John O'Groats in April, so I'm going to need to keep my mileage high."

Mark's initial 2,340-mile challenge, which kicked off in July, came about so he could raise vital funds and awareness for Katharine House Hospice in Stafford and Tommy's – the baby charity that funds research into pregnancy problems and provides information to parents.

The driving force behind Mark's efforts is his wife, Tammy, who has endured six miscarriages and has found the support from the Tommy's charity a huge help.

The 31-year-old window cleaner, who grew up on Shrewsbury's Telford Estate but now lives in Penkridge, Staffordshire, aimed to raise £90,000 in total but has so far raised almost £4,000.

He said: "I just want to raise as much money as possible and raise the profile for two very worthy causes and I'm a little disappointed with the amount I've raised so far, so I want to keep going and hopefully raise some more funds.

"I also want to carry on because looking back now there are some changes that I want to make, for example my nutrition and also my physio's really good and helping me along no end, so I really want to continue to incorporate that. I'm just feeling really good about it."

Mark's 89th marathon was in Derby yesterday.

However, this month Mark plans to run his 100th marathon in Shrewsbury.

He added: "Sunday will be good but why stop now?

"I'm enjoying it so I might as well carry on while I'm feeling good. As soon as I've finished on Sunday I'll be running to Stoke for an interview with the BBC."

To donate towards Mark's mammoth effort visit goo.gl/LRzPRj

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