Local runner takes on 100 mile challenge

A runner from Stoke Golding completed a 100-mile run down the River Thames this Saturday, completing the course well inside his target of 18 hours.

Mark Cox completed the running century in 17:37.15, finishing in 15th place overall.

Mark worked through a lot of pain but was paced by Jimmy Dewis and Dave Jenkinson, and also supported by Adrian Payne.

He actually completed the first 50 miles in around six hours. However, after 40 miles his pace slowed after pulling his hamstring.

But, with the support of his team as well as taking on some fuel Mark persevered and kept going.

At mile 78, Jimmy took over from Dave for pacing duties and paced him until the finish line 22 miles later.

Mark started the 100-mile challenge at 7:20am in Richmond and didn't finish until around 1am the next morning in Oxford.

Before starting the race, Mark said: "I'm doing this to test my endurance. In our lives, we get too comfortable, so I'm taking this on to see how far I can push myself."