Angus Read is on course to enter the record books by finishing 40 marathons in 40 European countries in just four months. At a loss at the start of summer and itching to travel, the ultra-fit law graduate hatched a bold plan to see the continent and raise money at the same time.
His Herculean task, never undertaken before, will see him finish on December 14. Angus, 22, from Warwick, started his madcap adventure in the sweltering heat of Chișinău, Moldova, for his first marathon on August 20 and since then has ticked off 26.2-mile races in Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland.
Still to come are events in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Monaco, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Italy, San Marino, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Germany, and Ireland
He is set to finish his fatigue-inducing sojourn on December 14 and with it a place in The Guinness Book Records as the youngest person to complete 40 consecutive marathons.
Leeds University graduate Angus, who is staying in cheap hostels, travelling by bus, and attempting a marathon at an average of one every three days, is hoping to raise at least £10,000 for Cancer Research UK.
Speaking to the Express from Kraków after completing his latest slog, he said: “Originally, I was going to do some solo travelling around Eastern Europe, but I felt like I had this obligation to do something positive. I have always been a fan of sport and loved running.
“So I came up with this challenge that combined my love of running and exploring for a good cause.”
He added: “I am eating and drinking as much as I can. Obviously, I’m burning loads of calories running, so I need to replenish the energy as much as possible. It means lots of carbohydrates and protein, and also lots of liquid calories – I like protein shakes and milk after running. On travel days, it’s often sandwiches and any sort of snacks, and the day before a marathon, I will stuff my face with as many carbs as possible. I wouldn’t say my diet is super optimal – it’s hard to be when you’re on the move so much.”
The superhuman effort – which Angus calls his 40-40-4 Expedition – will see him run more than 1,000 miles in just over 100 days, rotating two pairs of running trainers and washing his kit and clothes in local launderettes or hostel sinks. He uses buses to dart between city start lines.
He said: “The biggest trouble has probably been running in the heat. The first 12 runs in particular were virtually all baking hot – the eastern European summer lasts longer than the UK one, unfortunately. I have been starting most of them at 7am to be finished by midday to avoid the worst of the heat – though a lot of them I’ve still been running in temperatures pushing 30C (86F).
“To be brutally honest, I haven’t enjoyed a couple of the countries that I have visited – Moldova and Bulgaria specifically. Sitting on so many long buses isn’t the most exciting, and the majority have been between 5-8 hours long. But I can’t complain. I knew what I was getting myself into and, overall, have really enjoyed it so far.”
Angus has been buoyed by an outpouring of love for his madcap adventure from supportive Europeans.
Angus, who was aged just 13 when Britain voted to leave the EU at the 2016 Brexit referendum, said: “It has been a solo trip, but I don’t feel like I am solo at all. The support has been incredible.”
His father John said: “As his dad I am obviously extremely proud of what Angus is undertaking. But I’m also incredibly worried. He’s completely on his own with no logistical support whatsoever. Some might say he’s barking mad, but I think he’s simply incredible.”
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