London man takes on epic challenge with doubled-up London Marathon

Posted Tuesday 12 April 2011

For most people, the London Marathon is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run 26 miles. For 34-year-old Londoner Robin Harvie, that is simply not challenging enough.

Robin is attempting to double the distance by running a whole marathon immediately before joining 30,000 others at the official marathon start line. His incredible 52 mile running challenge will raise vital funds for leading mental health charity Mind.

Robin, who has been running marathons for a decade, plans to alter his usual warm-up regime by running 26 miles from Big Ben at the stroke of 4am, finishing at the official starting line in time for the start of the main event.

Robin, who has taken on numerous ultra-marathons including the 152-mile Spartathlon covering the original marathon distance from Athens to Sparta, has also penned his first book entitled Why We Run: A Story of Obsession. He describes the book, which was released on 11 April as “one runner’s journey from the occasional jog to the toughest foot race on earth.”

Mind is Robin’s chosen charity as he has witnessed the effects of depression first-hand when his mother-in-law was diagnosed with the condition following the death of her husband two and a half years ago.

Her diagnosis came as a shock to her family, who welcomed the support and advice offered to them by mental health professionals to help their understanding.

Robin and his family have praised the patience and expertise of the doctors who treated his mother-in-law, who he says ultimately saved her life. Robin cites the breakthrough moment for his mother-in-law’s recovery during a therapeutic walk in the countryside and he sees this outdoor activity as a fitting way to raise awareness and money to support the people and organisations that help those with depression.

Robin said:

I want to show that anyone can be a runner, you just need to lace-up your trainers and head out the front door. As a veteran marathon runner, I thought I would have a real adventure and take on the challenge of a double marathon.

I’d love to see other marathon runners outside Big Ben at 4am too – it would be great if we could get a real team of us doing the double!

I want to raise money to say thank you to all those who help people with depression, their work has a really positive impact on the future of people affected by mental illness. Mind is a fantastic charity and I hope to raise as much as possible so that they can continue their important work.

Robin is aiming to raise at least £3,000 through sponsorship for the event and he also has a number of fundraising activities planned to boost the charity’s coffers including running events, raffles and cake sales. Robin is blogging and tweeting about his journey, which provide a great insight into the mindset of a long distance runner.

If you would like to sponsor Robin please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Robin-Harvie.

If you want to join Robin on the double marathon adventure or support him in anyway, please contact him on either 07771892797 or robinharvie@gmail.com.

If you would like information about organising a fundraising event for Mind, please ring 0871 872 1144, email events@mind.org.uk or visit our events pages.

To attend the fundraising event, set up interviews and receive images please contact Robin on 07771892797.

Notes to Editors:

• The Spartathalon is an ultra-marathon covering the original marathon distance from Athens to Sparta.
• Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. We work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. www.mind.org.uk
• For more information, interviews or case studies please contact the Mind media team on T: 020 8522 1743 M: 07850 788514 E: media@mind.org.uk ISDN line available: 020 8221 0817.
• Please note that Mind is not an acronym and should be set in title case.

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