Fundraiser completes mammoth year-long marathon-a-day challenge for Samaritans
By Jill Dando News
James Cooper has completed the remarkable feat of running a marathon every single day of 2024 for the suicide prevention charity
Intrepid mental health advocate James Cooper, 37, has completed the remarkable feat of running a marathon every single day of 2024 for the suicide prevention charity, crossing the final finish line on New Year’s Eve.
James, a personal trainer from East Grinstead, West Sussex has run 9,589.2 miles in total, - the equivalent of running to Australia – completing 366 marathons in total given it’s a leap year.
Having experienced his own mental health struggles, and sadly losing his uncle to suicide, James is passionate about ending the stigma around suicide and encouraging people to open up about what they’re really going through.
So far, the challenge - known as Smilinggg 366 - has raised over £86,000 for Samaritans, helping the charity’s volunteers answer more than 8,600 life-changing calls from people struggling to cope.
Reflecting on a year like no other, James said: “We’re so much more capable of overcoming our challenges than we realise.
“I’ve chosen to do this challenge, and in our lives, we don’t get to choose the issues we face, but hopefully people will take inspiration that it is possible to tackle and overcome the hurdles in front of us.
“Having had my own personal struggles, I’ll believe in myself more.
“My absolute highlight has been the monthly community runs. Seeing so many people of all running abilities brave the weather early on a Sunday morning to run along with me, some doing their first marathons, has been really impactful.
“My fiancée Annabel ran her first ever marathon in March, five years to the day from when she attempted suicide, Samaritans were there for her so that was a very emotional day.
“I’ve almost had to become a little robotic to get out and do it every day so I think the emotions will bubble to the surface when I cross that finish line.”
Completing the iconic distance at an average of five hours a day, starting at 6am before working in the afternoons, the Samaritans supporter will have clocked up almost 1,800 hours - the equivalent of running non-stop for more than 75 consecutive days and nights.
Throughout the year, James has had to contend with storms, mud, heat waves and snow yet hasn’t missed a single day.
James continued: “The hardest part was two or three weeks into the challenge – I could hardly run because of pain in my ankle. The anxiety about possibly not being able to run - I didn’t sleep and had to go out the next day still in pain.”
James credits his physio Alex Wheatman for keeping him fit and healthy throughout the year.
“There’s also been a few other days throughout the year where I’ve felt a bit down and not really wanted to go out. But that moment in January was the worst, both in the moment and thinking ‘I’ve got 11 months still to go!’
Looking ahead to his first day off running since 2023, he explained: “I want there to be a hard stop so I’ll intentionally take New Years Day off so I can completely close this chapter, but then on 2nd January I’ll start some kind of recovery, but it’ll be on my own terms.
“There’s been a lot of sacrifices; I’ve seen my friends and family a lot less than I normally would and I’ve had to work less; I haven’t had a proper holiday or been able to have late nights but I completely see that it’s a privilege to be able to do this; the positives far outweigh any negatives.”
Julie Bentley, Samaritans CEO, said: “James is an absolute superstar! His dedication to ensuring Samaritans volunteers continue being available for those of us struggling to cope is beyond remarkable. He’s an inspiration and should rightly be very proud of helping change - and in some cases save – people's lives. A massive congratulations and thank you, James – enjoy a very well-earned rest!”
To donate to James’ fundraising page, visit www.justgiving.com/page/smilinggg366
Need support? Call 116 123 to speak to a Samaritan or view other ways to get in touch
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