The couch to 5km has proven to be a popular fitness goal for many people during national lockdowns and as a New Year’s resolution, but one dedicated runner has completed 5km every day for the past year.
Alex Thomas from Gorse Covert decided to run 5km on April 5, 2020 intending to run on consecutive days until he reached 73 – his age at the start of the campaign.
But the now 74-year-old passed his first target in June, carried on until he reached 100 days in July and then increased his goal to run the distance every single day for a year, completing his 365-day challenge on Sunday, April 4.
Alex has run during the heat waves last summer as well as snow and ice earlier this year and even put on his trainers to do his regular route through Birchwood Park and Forest Park on Christmas Day and his birthday, never missing a day.
He said: “I’ve always kept up with my running and this seemed like a good way to keep motivated.
“My wife Elizabeth sometimes joins me on my runs, as she cycles behind me, and two of my sons have also been running partners.
“A few of us got together on Sunday to complete the 365th run, socially distanced of course.”
Alex, who has run six London Marathons in the past, finishing his first in 2000, as well as nine Great North Runs, raised £550 during the first 100 days for NHS charities.
Alex has enjoyed his 365-day challenge and hasn’t stopped, doing another 5km – his 366th – on Monday, so who knows what his final total will be?
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