London hospitality worker David Goodman is aiming to run seven marathons in seven days next week to help raise awareness and money for people paralysed after a spinal cord injury.
The 50-year-old is pushing himself to the limit to take on the Enigma Weak At The Knees 2026 Challenge in Milton Keynes between March 9-15.
David will run 26.2 miles each day on routes round Caldecotte and Willen Lakes as part of his fundraising efforts for Spinal Research, the UK’s leading charity funding the most promising research into spinal cord injury repair.
“I know this challenge will be far more mental than physical. I have run lots of marathons but have never taken on anything like this so being able to recover and go again each day is going to be so tough.
“But, when it does get really hard I’ll definitely be thinking of all the people who can’t do this,” said David, who is also running the Brighton Marathon for Spinal Research next month.
The agency hospitality worker from West London started running as a way to get fitter and meet new people 18 years ago. Since then, he has completed more than 80 marathons around the world, several ultra marathons as well as scores of half marathons and 10K events
His goal this year is to reach the 100-marathon milestone. “Running really has been my therapy,” said David. “It clears my head and has given me so much. I have found such camaraderie and friendship from people who share this passion and who are on their own journeys through running.
“It has taken me to places around the world that I would not otherwise have even thought of travelling to and this year I just wanted to give something back to people who can’t do this, in the hope that one day they can.”
Every two hours someone in the UK is paralysed after suffering a spinal cord injury. It can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time with devastating consequences for them and their families.
Suzanne Redding, Spinal Research Head of Audience and Community, said: “Good luck to David! Seven marathons in seven days is a huge challenge and we are blown away by what he’s doing.
“This is a really exciting time in the journey to restore functions, movement and hope which are all so cruelly taken by spinal cord injuries.
“Today, for the first time, we are seeing treatments coming through which will truly change lives and every penny raised by David will help us get these to paralysed people as quickly as possible.”
To support David go to his JustGiving Page: https://bit.ly/4rKGTKR
