Chris Fordham, a 42-year-old airline pilot from the Forest of Dean, is gearing up for an extraordinary endurance challenge this spring: running seven marathons across seven consecutive days. Starting from his hometown of Lydney on April 20, Chris will cover approximately 157 miles en route to London, where he will cap off the grueling week by participating in the London Marathon on April 26.
This ambitious feat, dubbed the Long Run for Mental Health, is dedicated to raising funds for the Samaritans charity in memory of a friend who tragically took their own life last year. Motivated by personal loss and a desire to make a difference, Chris is committed to completing this test of physical and mental stamina.
Chris first ran the London Marathon in 2017, describing the experience as both the hardest and most rewarding of his life. Despite feeling daunted by the scale of this new challenge, he is energized and optimistic. His JustGiving page has already attracted nearly £3,800 in donations, a generosity that has fueled his training and determination.
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He shared, “What drives me is what happened to my friend and seeing support pour in from so many people. Their kindness is truly inspiring and keeps me motivated every day.”
Initially considering seven marathons over as many weekends, Chris recognized the difficulty of scheduling consecutive weekends off from his demanding career. Instead, he decided to take a week off and complete the entire challenge in one continuous stretch.
Though he previously completed the London Marathon in an impressive time of 3 hours and 53 minutes, Chris’s current goal is not to beat his personal best but to endure and finish injury-free. “Survival is the priority,” he explains. “It’s 99% mental. The body can often go further than the mind thinks possible, but it’s about pushing through those mental barriers.”
Chris reflected on his transformation into a long-distance runner: “Before my first marathon, the longest I had run was a half marathon in my twenties. The London Marathon was an incredible experience—uplifting and surreal. I never imagined loving it as much as I do.”
As he embarks on this week-long journey, Chris hopes not only to challenge himself but also to raise awareness and funds for mental health support, reminding everyone that endurance extends beyond physical limits—into the realm of the mind and spirit.