Rob clocks up 100 half marathons

A health records clerk has swapped files for fitness to complete 100 half marathons this year.

Rob Harris, who works for East Kent Hospitals, originally planned to tick off 40 half marathons to coincide with his 40th birthday.

But after passing that milestone in the summer he decided to keep going, and completed his 100th run at the weekend.

He doesn’t plan to stop there, and will take on the Walton on Thames marathon on Saturday, adding even more miles to his total.

Rob, who lives in Ashford, said: “I thought 40 was a nice round number, and it allowed for holidays or sickness.

“But when I reached 40 people were asking what the next challenge was, and after passing 50 and then 60 I thought 100 could be possible.

“Part of it was about trying to show that you can question your own limits. You never know what you are capable of until you try.”

Rob is a member of the Ashford Striders running club, and dozens of members joined him for his 100th run.

Some of his distances were completed at the club’s regular Thursday meets, but after reaching his 40th milestone he also added in runs on Saturdays and Sundays, and then on Monday too.

He said: “With three half marathons a week, I calculated I would reach 98 on the last Sunday of the year.

“But I couldn’t leave it at 98 so I added the extra run to be sure I could reach 100.

“It was a lovely feeling to know I’d done it with a month to spare and I was so grateful for the support of the Striders.

“Even those who couldn’t make the run itself sent me messages of encouragement, which demonstrates the spirit of the club where we all support each other and celebrate successes together.”

Rob’s love of running developed after he agreed during a night out to join some friends for the Brighton marathon in 2018.

Although he had to defer for a year because of injury, he went on to complete other marathons, and has signed up for Brighton again this year.

He said: “My manager is really supportive, and I finish early one day to allow for working later another day if I am out in the van.

“This makes it easier to fit in the runs and the training.

“I am tempted to take the rest of the year off from running, then in the future I would like to do an ultra-marathon, with a distance of 30 miles or more.

“Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox really inspired me with her Children in Need challenge of five ultra marathons in five days.

“It made me want to see what I can do so I’d like to keep pushing the boundaries.”