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Read MoreCharles completes his Metro Map Multi Marathon in memory of his Dad
On Sunday 15th September, Charles McManus, 18 from, North Shields, took on what we thought was an impossible task – running to each of the 60 stations on the Tyne and Wear Metro network, a total of 125 km or 77 miles, in under 24 hours. We are delighted to say he proved us well and truly wrong, completing his challenge in 17.5 hours!
Charles (pictured in the black top below) began at South Hylton station in Sunderland at 3am on Sunday morning, and with the support of friends and family, including his uncle Andrew riding alongside on a bike, he began his route, which was the equivalent length of just under three marathons.
After completing the Sunderland and South Shields lines south of the Tyne, Charles headed up through Newcastle and west to Newcastle Airport. He then doubled back to run the coastal loop through North Tyneside, and back into Newcastle, and it was here that he completed his challenge, arriving at the final station, Monument, at 20.45.
Charles arrived to cheers from all of his family and the team from Tyne and Wear Metro, who were eagerly awaiting his arrival.
After completing the challenge, Charles said:
“My legs are absolutely horrendous, I’m really struggling to walk.
“I stopped at every single station and took a picture at every station, I think South Shields or Whitley Bay were my favourites.”
Charles was running for a very special reason, His aim was to raise funds for St Oswald’s Hospice, where his dad David received care before he died in 2017 when Charles was just 10 and The Brain Tumour Charity.
Charles said his dad was a keen runner and would have been very proud of him
He added: “I just wanted to do something to help others who are in a similar position to my family, when dad was unwell.
“I was quite focussed by at the end it got quite emotional – all my family were there, including my gran.”
Almost £6000 has been raised so far thanks to Charles’ huge effort. And he is already thinking about his next run.
“I’ve been talking to my cousin and we’re thinking perhaps one of the Coast to Coast routes or maybe the Three Peaks Challenge, who knows,” he said.
Here at St Oswald’s Hospice, we regularly hear inspiring stories from our patients, families and in our local community, but this has to be right up there with one of the most incredible achievements! Well done to Charles and a big thank you to his family for supporting him and to all of these who sponsored him.
If you would like to make a donation towards Charles’ fundraising, here is the page.