When Robert completed his first marathon, he weighed 28 stone and hadn't completed any preparation training.
“I hated running,” he says. “But I did it to raise money for deaf people, and to prove people wrong.”
The race ignited a spark in Robert, and running soon became his passion. He continued to complete races, raising more and more money for charities, and losing a staggering 8 stone.
Robert was first introduced to Mark Thornberry in 2017 at the Thames Path race. The Thames Path 100 (also known as the TP100) is a 100 mile continuous trail race along the Thames Path from London to Oxford. Robert remembers Mark shaking his hand and wishing him good luck.
Mark had that same spark as Robert- a passion for running as well as fundraising, which Mark once described as, "great for the soul." The friends instantly clicked.
Unbeknownst to Robert at the time, Mark had just been diagnosed with cancer of the liver and told he had only a few months to live. He sadly passed away in June, 2020.
On the day they shook hands back in 2017, Robert didn't finish the Thames Path 100, but he went back after Mark passed 3 years later, determined to "get it done" in Mark's memory and to raise money for King's College Hospital Charity.
He finished the TP100 in 26 hours, 39 minutes and 40 seconds. This was way ahead of his plan and his fastest 100 mile race by 2 whole hours.
Robert says. "I understand liver cancer is underfunded and want to do whatever I can to carry on the legacy of my late and great friend."
On Saturday 10th October, Robert takes on the Centurion Autumn 100. This is the 3rd of 4 Centurion 100 milers he needs to finish to earn the 'Grand Slam'.
Robert fondly remembers watching Mark run 145 miles on the Grand Union Canal, and uses this memory of Mark to spur himself on during races, and as inspiration to keep going.
"Inspired by my late friend, I will take on a series of challenges that are beyond what I thought I could do."
