Century Of Marathons For 69-Year-Old Doug

Retired 69-year-old Doug Richards, has completed his 101st half marathon and raised lifesaving funds for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

Doug from Redditch in Worcestershire has been running marathons and half marathons for charity since the mid-80s. He has completed 30 marathons and 101 half marathons, running over 2,000 miles and plans to undertake a further half marathon in the Antarctic in March 2018, where he will celebrate his 70th birthday. 

Doug explains: “Inspired by watching the very first London marathon, I discovered running relatively late in life as I approached my mid-30s. Initially, it was just a means of getting fitter but I was soon hooked and ran my first marathon within a year of my first one-mile run. After several city marathons, and an 80-mile Ultra along with the South Downs, a holiday run in the USA triggered a desire for combining running and travel and this has led me to all corners of the planet. 

“It hasn’t always been a straightforward journey and at various points in my life, I have suffered severe bouts of anxiety and depression. I cannot overstate how much my running has helped me to deal with these episodes and I am privileged to now be both a run leader and an England Athletics mental health ambassador to help others discover the benefits that running can bring to both physical and mental wellbeing.”

Doug, who has so far raised over £1,300 for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, hopes to raise over £500 from his next two half marathons. He also goes out into the community to talk to local people about his running and asks for donations to the charity. 

Michelle McCracken, Worcestershire fundraising manager for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity adds: “We are truly grateful to Doug who not only raises lifesaving funds for the charity but also raises awareness of our vitally important service.”

To support Doug please click here.