NHS worker runs four marathons in five days
ANHS worker has gone the extra mile – by running four marathons in five days for charity, while still working full time. Joe Waite, 31 from Govanhill, has completed the incredible feat of a combined 104 miles from Monday to Friday, all to raise money for mental health charity CALM.
Joe has been a physiotherapist for around eight years and recently started a new job 26 miles away at Inverclyde Royal Hospital in Gourock.
He has used his new commute to complete the impressive marathon runs.
He said: “I decided to use my commute from work to do the marathons, so when I finished my shift I would put my uniform in my backpack and get on my way.
“The run from the hospital in Gourock to Govanhill takes around three hours and a half, and I ran Monday and Tuesday after work, took a break Wednesday as I was working from home, and then again Thursday and Friday.
“I ran during my commute because I’m very conscious about the ‘no unnecessary travel rule’ so I thought this would be the best way of fitting it in without leaving the house at another time.
“I usually do hill running but restrictions have stopped me from doing that at the moment, this was the next best thing”
Joe has so far raised more than £1800 for CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably – after launching a fundraiser in conjunction with his marathons.
He said: “I’ve always liked running and found that it does help with my mental health.
“Mental health is really important right now and it feels great to get that much support in such a short time.
“It’s nice that people are backing an important issue.”
Joe has even said that the glorious Glasgow weather didn’t put him off completing his runs during the week.
He said: “Even when it rains, I think that gives me a bit of a push to get home quicker!
“I think there was supposed to be snow forecast at some point, so I had fingers crossed that it didn’t happen.”
To donate to Joe’s fundraiser for CALM, you can visit his JustGiving page at justgiving.com/fundraising/runhomeformentalhealth.