Marathon man Mark Gould from Chester shows superhuman stamina to meet double challenge

Oct 18 2010 Chester Chronicle

HE HAS endured aching muscles week after week, but IT manager Mark Gould from Chester smashed the pain barrier twice to raise £2,000 for mental health charity MIND.

After setting himself the two gruelling targets of cycling 340 miles from London to Paris and then taking part in the Great North Run a few days later, Mark’s bid meant hours of physical preparation.

On September 8 he put his training into practice when he completed the four-day bike ride as a member of a team of 10 cyclists raising funds for MIND.

A week later Mark, who lives on the Haywoods Estate in Chester, travelled to Newcastle and put on his running shoes to take part in the 13-mile Great North Run.

It was the third time he had participated in the event, and this year he completed the course in 1 hour 44 minutes and was within the first 4,000 runners out of an entry of 54,000.

Mark, 29, who works for Muir Group Housing at its Chester HQ, said: “The first 110 miles of the bike ride was hard-going because we were cycling through driving rain.

“But it was a fantastic feeling approaching Paris. We cycled past the Arc de Triomphe, and ended up at the Eiffel tower, where we were met by friends and family.”

He added: “By the time I had finished the Great North Run my legs were giving way. I think I was running on pure adrenalin!”

Mark now has his sights set on the Chester Triathlon next year and cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

Mark chose to generate cash for MIND after being diagnosed with anorexia three years ago.