‘I ran 10 marathons in 10 days in 10 countries and one was unbelievable’

When you think of setting goals and taking on challenges this is certainly one to remember. Harry Marshall has put his body and mind on the line by running 10 consecutive marathons across 10 European countries to raise money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The 26-year-old, from Keighley, West Yorkshire, lost his mum Alison aged just 54 to heart failure in July 2021. Speaking exclusively to The Express Marshall explained why he decided to take on this mammoth challenge.

“The idea actually came from discussing with my good friend Sam about wanting to do another running challenge but wanting to do something across multiple countries as I love to travel,” Marshall said.

“The initial idea was to run seven marathons in seven days across seven continents but after looking into it a little more it was too expensive as the challenge was all self-funded. I then came up with the idea of 10 marathons in 10 days across 10 countries!”

In particular, Marshall wanted to take on the challenge during this particular month to help keep his mum’s “memory alive”. Alison’s heart health issues began in 2007 when she started experiencing heart palpitations. It was later discovered that she had a leaky valve.

In August 2018, following another spell in hospital, Alison was diagnosed with heart failure. Later that year she underwent open heart valve replacement surgery but sadly her condition had deteriorated.

It’s estimated that over one million people in the UK have heart failure. Despite there being no cure for heart failure, treatments that are available only treat the symptoms and improve quality of life.

Marshall said: “Mum was so brave, never really letting on to my brothers and me how bad things were. I’m the youngest of three so I always got special treatment. She was just very kind, loving, always looking out for us. She would do anything to make sure her boys were ok.”

Since then, Marshall has been on a mission to give back to the Heart charity, raising thousands of pounds by taking on multiple running challenges over the past few years.

He said: “I’m by no means a professional runner but just someone who has found a love for the sport and is trying to use that to turn a horrendous experience into something positive.”

Supported in a campervan by his girlfriend Morgan Rook, 27, Marshall started his challenge in Amsterdam, Netherlands on 2nd July before travelling through 10 countries including Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy and Germany ending in Slovenia on 11th July.

He has racked up a staggering 425km (264 miles) in just 47 hours and is not one to do things by halves, Marshall has put his body to the test incorporating a gruelling 3800m of elevation into his run.

Despite Marshall taking up running two-and-a-half years ago, how do you prepare physically and mentally for 10 marathons?

Marshall explained: “At the start of this year I ramped up my mileage considerably averaging around 80km per week for six months some weeks running anywhere between 100-150km in a week.

“I am currently living in Canada on a working holiday visa so the majority of my training was also through winter which made it even more challenging with lots of snowfall where I live but this also helped me prepare mentally and develop mental resilience.

“I also decided to go T-total and off the booze from the start of this year until the end of my challenge.”

The mighty challenge was in no way easy to come by as marathon number five quickly turned to pain as he struggled with his biggest elevation climb of 1,000m.

It led to a potential stress fracture to his left foot but luckily Marshall managed to get through to the next challenge.

Marshall explained “I did really struggle with injuries as on the first day I had an issue with my knee which then caused a lot of other issues as the challenge progressed.

“There was a fear of a stress fracture in my left ankle so I was in a lot of pain but the messages and support from everyone back home really kept me going and of course always keeping the reasoning behind the challenge at the forefront of my mind.”

Visiting 10 countries across 10 days is a hard feat to go by let alone competing in a marathon a day but did Marshall take in any of his surroundings?

Marshall said: “Despite being in each one less than 24 hours! The first few days were a bit grim as it just rained non-stop but some of the routes I ran in like Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia we’re unbelievable and probably the nicest runs I have ever done with beautiful blue lakes, and mountains and vineyards!

“The highlight for me was running around Lake Walensee in Switzerland which was the perfect distance of a 42km loop but it was also the hardest with over 1,000m of elevation gain! The final day of running in Slovenia to Lake Bled finishing with a lap around the lake was also amazing and I was met by friends from home at the finish line.”

Marshall completed his 10th and hottest marathon in Slovenia. As temperatures were expected to reach 37 degrees Harry ran straight off the plane up to (and around) Lake Bled.

Flanked by friends from home who made the last 26.2 miles more bearable the group were able to celebrate with a restorative and cooling dip in the lake’s crystal-clear waters.

He added: “I cannot describe the relief I felt knowing there was no more marathons. This challenge has certainly taken from me so much more than I thought it would. There were so many times I wanted to stop but I just kept my mum’s voice in my head.”

Marshall has raised nearly £6,000 for the BHF’s lifesaving research. “The BHF means a lot to me because of the support they were able to give us during my mum’s illness. Whilst it was sadly too late for Mum, just knowing that the research they fund will ultimately help save more lives – that’s why I want to do my bit to help.

“I know my mum will be so so proud of me not just for this challenge but for the person I have become since she passed, it’s such a nice feeling knowing I have done something extremely challenging in her memory.

“She would have said I was absolutely crazy and she would have been worried sick from start to finish and probably very relieved once it was all over but she always backed me in everything I did and was always my number 1 fan and supporter.

“I think she would also be very shocked as I was never a runner before and didn’t start till after my mum passed away which is kind of ironic as she’s one of the main reasons why I started running.”