Charity runner near end of year of daily marathons

A man who aimed to complete a marathon every day of 2024 for charity said he is "proud" to be nearing the end of his challenge.

James Cooper from East Grinstead, West Sussex, was joined by over 200 people during the last 10km of Sunday's leg in his home town.

It was the final community event of the challenge, which will end with marathon number 366 on 31 December.

Mr Cooper is raising funds for the charity Samaritans, after suffering a period of depression and losing a family member to suicide.

He said it was a "phenomenal feeling" to be joined by so many people.

"It was hard to hold back the tears because I've had to hold back a lot of emotion throughout the year to get it done.

"To see it all come together and, all being well, the end is in sight, I'm just incredibly proud."

Mr Cooper's run has raised almost £70,000 for the Samaritans.

Alex Talcer, from the charity, said: "Every 10 seconds we receive a call for help from somebody struggling, it costs £10 to answer that call.

"The money that he will raise and the awareness that he will raise means everything to us."

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