A TEENAGER is aiming to become the youngest person to run the full length of the UK.
Marcus Skeet, who lives in Norton, set off from Lands End on April 1, on the challenge to complete the 1,600km to John o' Groats in around 60 days.
The 17-year-old, known online as Thehullboy, due to his love of Hull City football club, is raising awareness of mental health and hopes to raise £100k for Mind.
Marcus is being supported by his parents, Jayne and Philip, who has dementia, along with best friend, Harry as support driver, however he is keen to gain support and sponsors to help pay for his food and overnight accommodation.
Marcus, who only started running a year ago, beginning with a 'mile-a-day challenge, said: “On paper, this looks like an impossible task, but for me, this is everything I have ever dreamed of since I started running. I’d like to dedicate this challenge to a lad named Felix, who took me under his wing when I started secondary school.”
“I found out late last year that he had lost his battle with mental health. Felix inspired me through so much in life, and I do this for him and for all those we’ve lost to this horrible battle.”
Marcus 'determination has caught the attention of famous endurance runner Russ Cook, aka @hardestgeezer—the first person to run the full length of Africa.
Russ shared Marcus’ story on Instagram, writing: “Marcus has had so much to overcome in his 16 years in this world—from struggling with his own mental health to bullying and online abuse, and much more that’s not for me to go into here.”
GB former long-distance runner Sir Mo Farah, the holder of four Olympic and six world titles has also shown is support for Marcus on X saying: “Keep going champ! Anything is possible”.
Marcus said: "I am now two weeks in and and we’ve entered our second country of the challenge. It was a tough day up through Bristol and across the Severn bridge but so glad to finish the day strong.
"My first checkpoint was to make it to Wales, but every day the legs are starting to feel more and more stronger and I can’t wait for the rest of the challenge. Now up the west coast, past Liverpool and into Scotland."
Marcus, who has so far raised nearly £27,000 added: "I am feeling strong, my legs are surprisingly okay, it's just the mental side of things on my own in my head every day has been tough but I will never forget why I am doing this.
"It’s certainly not going to be easy but as I say, I will crawl to John o' Groats if I need to. No matter what we do this for mental health."
Mum Jayne said BATA, who she works for, have provided the support car, including insurance and fuel, but they were keen to get more sponsorship.
She said: "Harry is doing his best to keep costs down with the accommodation and food, but if any does want to sponsor a couple of nights accommodation what would be great - and obviously Marcus would thank them on his social media which has over 250,000 followers.
Feeling strong, legs are surprisingly okay just the mental side of things on my own in my head every day has been tough but I will never forget why I am doing this.
It’s certainly not going to be easy but as I say, i will crawl to John o groates if I need to. No matter what we do this for mental health
He added: "So blooming grateful for every single one of you legends. Long way to go but I promise I will never give up in this challenge, no matter how slow or how far- I will give everything."
To support Marcus go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/running-the-full-length-of-the-uk-for-mental-health
Anyone interested in sponsoring Marcus should email contact@thehullboy.co.uk Donations towards the challenge can also e made to bank account 63153983, sort code 20-25-41.
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