Holbeach runner takes on triathlon and 100km run challenge

A runner will be proving his fitness later this year when he takes on a triathlon and 100km run within days of each other.

Mark Harris (39), of Holbeach, will be competing in the 70.3 mile triathlon at Holkham in July which will be followed five days later by the 100km Race to the Stones.

Mr Harris, who will be raising money for Cancer Research UK, has come a long way since seriously starting running in 2017 after being encouraged to go to the gym by his daughter.

He will be swimming 1.2 miles followed by a 56 mile cycle ride and a 13.1 mile run at Holkham on July 4.

Mr Harris has been able to keep up the majority of his training, but the closure of swimming pools during lockdown is creating a challenge.

He said: “I knicked a treadmill off my parents at the start of lockdown. It’s 22 years-old and still works!

“I have a bike which I can use at home but I have not been able to train for the swimming.

“I am hoping to be able to pick up on that a bit nearer the time with some intensive swimming training.”

Five days after completing Holkham, Mr Harris will be taking on the 100km trail run between Lewknor to Avebury.

The route, which takes in rolling landscapes and historical monuments, will finish at the Avebury stone circle.

Mr Harris, who works at Hallgate Timber, also has a few other challenges pencilled in his diary.

In April, he is looking to take on the Boston Marathon with a sprint in Woodhall Spa in June.

He is able to keep in contact with other runners via online platforms and said: “Challenges help me to train.

“I do run about 14 to 15 hours a week. I train on a Saturday.

“Last year I managed to do 1,500 miles running and 2,500 miles on the bike.”

Mr Harris is no stranger to challenges after previously signing up fora trail marathon and six marathons in six days across the Azores in Portugal.

He said: “I enjoy running and then I thought I would give cycling a go and then I discovered I enjoyed that as well.”

Mr Harris has chosen to support Cancer Research UK with his challenges.

He said: “Fundraising has been pretty hard over the last year.

“This is a good charity to support.”

l If you would like to support Mr Harris and his fundraising efforts fpr Cancer Research please go to: fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/marks-giving-page-25129