Local man just keeps on running
Paul Stout, aged 37 of Newbury, a seasoned charity runner, is this year raising funds for cancer charity Marie Curie, following the death of his friend, Alice Gudgeon.
Mr Stout set out at 9pm on Friday, February 22 to do continuous laps of Greenham Common, joining the Newbury parkrun group 12 hours later for their usual Saturday morning 5km race.
The elements were against him, with snow causing temperatures plunge to -10c, but Mr Stout was undeterred and carried on regardless.
He said: “It was hard.
“You go through different stages.
“I don’t think you can fully prepare for a run like that because so many things could happen.
“As long as you are mentally prepared, that’s usually what beats you.”
He completed the first and last leg of the run with Alice’s niece, Ellie Gudgeon, aged 11, who competed for England in the Wado International Karate-do Federation European Championships in Greece last year.
Mr Stout extended thanks to all those who supported him, with friends providing hot drinks throughout the night and many joining him for laps of the track.
This latest quest follows the Reading Roadrunners Bramley 20 run and the 50-mile ‘Thames trot’ which he participated in in February, and is ahead of the Reading half marathon next weekend.
He also plans to run the 145 miles of the Grand Union Canal in May and the half ironman challenge in June, which consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 55 mile cycle and a half marathon - all to be completed within 9 hours.
Finally, he aims to complete the Snowdon marathon in October.
So far, Mr Stout has raised £350 for his efforts this year.
To make a donation visit http://www.justgiving.com/Paul-Stout1