RUNNING

MarathonManUK wins the Race Across USA (RAUSA)

By Bright Bee Communications

On January 16th, Londoner Rob Young started an epic running journey across the USA, from LA through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia before crossing the finish line at The White House in Washington DC. Yesterday he ran up to The White House with a 30 hour lead over his competitors to win the RAUSA.

Now known as MarathonManUK, Rob started RAUSA nine months into his existing challenge, which was to run one marathon a day for a year. He took on this challenge after being motivated by the emotional stories of London Marathon 2014 and embarked on his very first marathon the next day. He hasn’t stopped running since and has now run 417 marathons in 417 days, totaling 11,428 miles (18,392km), the equivalent of running from England to New Zealand. Rob went from local 5km park runs to winner of 5,000km U.S. transcontinental marathon series within 14 months.

Throughout his journey, Rob has been raising funds for children’s charities Dreams Come True and NSPCC. He has raised a total of £80,000, with additional thanks to Coldplay for auctioned items. Along with his fellow competitors, Rob has also been visiting schools along the RAUSA route to promote childhood fitness and nutrition.

MarathonManUK, Rob Young, said: "What's kept me going, through all this endurance running, is the hope I'm helping vulnerable children's dreams come true. Spurred on by everyone's kind support & charity donations, I plan to break more new World Records this summer."

The 14 month challenge has not come easy; 7 months in Rob faced injury and was forced to stop running entirely for 3 weeks or risk turning a bone stress injury into a stress fracture. After an incredible comeback from a reluctant but necessary short break to avoid a stress fracture in his lower leg, which would have threatened the whole challenge, he has gone on to win the prestigious RAUSA

Since the start of his challenge last April, Rob has touched the lives of many with his positivity and commitment to overcome the odds. Driven by his own difficult experiences of abuse as a child, Rob’s primary goals are to inspire people and raise funds for the children’s charities close to his heart - Dreams Come True and NSPCC. Donations can be made via www.marathonmanuk.com 

From the outset, Rob has had a top team of marathon, triathlon and Olympic medical experts supporting him. All have found Rob’s powers of recovery to be astonishing with Daniel. E Liberman, Professor of Biological Sciences at Harvard University, referring to Rob as ‘one of the most extraordinary athletes’ he has ever measured.

Rob's Medical Director, Dr. Courtney Kipps, Assistant medical director of the London Marathon says: "Rob Young’s ability to run marathons day after day is astonishing. He is re-writing the textbooks.”

More information on Rob’s fundraising challenge

Dreams Come True:
Rob is hoping that his fundraising marathon challenge will fulfil the dreams of children like Dewi:

Dewi’s Dream
Dewi is a very lively and playful three-year-old who has cerebral palsy. Because Dewi has very limited mobility, he can’t enjoy many of the physical play activities that other children take for granted and relies more on indoor enjoyment - particularly watching his favourite Disney characters for hours on TV. Dewi adores these characters and meeting them in real-life would be a dream come true. Rob would like to help raise the money needed to take make Dewi’s dream come true, to go to Disneyworld in Florida to meet his Disney idols in person. This once-in-a-lifetime trip would give the whole family a chance to relax and take a break from the regime of hospital appointments, therapies and the day-to-day management of services to get Dewi the support he needs.

For more information, please visit: http://marathonmanuk.com/