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'I don't regret running a marathon every day' | 'I don't regret running a marathon every day' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
James Cooper says he has gone through 22 pairs of trainers during the challenge | |
A man says he is feeling "every emotion under the sun" after running a marathon every day this year. | |
James Cooper, from East Grinstead, West Sussex, said he set himself the challenge of running 26.2 miles (42km) a day to raise money for the Samaritans after his uncle took his own life. | |
After completing his last marathon of 2024 on New Year's Eve, the 37-year-old told the BBC he was "completely overwhelmed" with happiness, although there was a "tinge of sadness, like with all good things when they come to an end". | |
"I always dreamt of this [moment] and it has come to fruition," he said. | |
Mr Cooper hugged his fiancée Annabel (pictured) after finishing the challenge | |
Mr Cooper said the challenge had helped him "find meaning in the sadness" his family had experienced after his uncle's death. | |
He has raised about £85,000 out of a £703,000 target - a pound for every life lost to suicide around the world each year, as recorded by the World Health Organization. | |
"Every pound matters because it's our way of honouring every life that has passed too soon," he said. | "Every pound matters because it's our way of honouring every life that has passed too soon," he said. |
Mr Cooper ran some 9,600 miles across 366 marathons over the year as 2024 was a leap year. | |
'Lots of scarifice' | |
Hundreds of people turned out to watch him finish the challenge. | |
Mr Cooper told BBC Radio Sussex he had gone through 22 pairs of trainers and burnt nearly 6,000 calories a day. | |
He added that the feat had involved a "lot of sacrifice", partly due to the toll it had taken on his body and how much time running had taken up every day. | |
"I've had to get up ridiculously early," Mr Cooper said. | |
"I haven't been able to see my family [and friends] quite as much." | |
Mr Cooper said his loved ones had supported him "every step of the way" | |
The personal trainer said he loved running and the cause was close to his heart. | |
"When there's meaning behind what you do, you can find a seventh, eighth gear to get through difficult times," he said. | "When there's meaning behind what you do, you can find a seventh, eighth gear to get through difficult times," he said. |
"Ultimately, what I've done this year is a privilege." | "Ultimately, what I've done this year is a privilege." |
He also said his fiancée Annabel and the wider community had been by his side "every step". | |
"It's been a real team effort, even though I'm the one pounding the pavements every day." | "It's been a real team effort, even though I'm the one pounding the pavements every day." |
Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, external, X, external, and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, external or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. | Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, external, X, external, and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, external or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. |