Teenager completes 30-day running challenge

Teenager Morgan Glazier said the support from friend and family and donations kept him going through a mamoth run challenge.

Teenager Morgan Glazier said the support from friend and family and donations kept him going through a mamoth run challenge.

The 18-year-old, who has been battling OCD for a number of years, ran 465 miles over 30 days last month to raise £8,362 for mental health charity Mind.

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Morgan, who had been due to sit A-level exams at Rossett School in Harrogate last month, said: “I was incredibly happy to have finished the challenge as it wasn’t easy.

“The hardest point was the middle of the challenge as the runs were still very long and I knew I had over 300 miles still to run.

“In these moments it was the support from my friends and family that kept me going, as well as all the amazing people who donated and left such lovely messages.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them as it gave me the motivation I needed to push through the tricky days.”

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Morgan is a former Harrogate Harriers Junior Running Club member and last year completed the Great North Run in one hour 32 minutes.

But running means more to him, as he explained: “I’ve always enjoyed long-distance running and I often use it to get away from everything.

“It is a way for me to disconnect myself from negative thoughts and improve my mental well-being. It helps me feel happier within myself.”

Morgan took on the 30-day run in memory of his uncle who died as a result of mental health problems, and to help other people living with poor mental health.

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Each day he added an extra mile to the distance to correspond with the date, so on June 1 he ran a mile, finishing with 30 miles on June 30.

He added: “When I finished I felt relief more than anything as I knew I could finally have a rest!

“I was overwhelmed that I managed to raise so much money and complete such a tough challenge and I can only thank those around me for the support - especially my mum who came out to give me water and food on the long runs!”

Pictures by: James Forster

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