Latest news with #TheHullBoy
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Boy becomes youngest person to run the entire length of the UK
A 17-year-old has become the youngest and the first person under 18 to run the length of the UK, from Land's End in Cornwall to John O'Groats in known to his tens of thousands of followers on social media as 'The Hull Boy' set off on his challenge at the beginning of April. Since then he has run nearly 840-miles and raised more than £100,000. He described the challenge on his social media as "two of the most difficult but greatest months of my life". Marcus only began running a year ago, starting with a mile-a-day challenge that he began to raise money for mental health charity Mind. On his latest challenge, running from Land's End to John O'Groats, he continued to raise money for Mind which he chose because he has suffered from poor mental health in the the two months of running the length of the UK Marcus has had plenty of unforgettable moments. From running alongside deer, to amazing sunrises and sunsets, to the slightly less fun memories- running through fields of nettles and enduring some very wet and windy no matter what happened he kept on running. Marcus is also a young carer for his dad, who was one of the fans waiting for him at the finish line. His challenge has also caught the attention of celebrities and on day four of the run he received a special message on social media site X. Four time Olympic medal holder Sir Mo Farah posted a message to him saying "Keep going champ! Anything is possible", accompanying the post with applause emojis.
BBC News
04-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
The Hull Boy 'loving every minute' of Land's End to John O' Groats run
A teenager has started his attempt to run the length of the UK to raise money for a mental health known to his tens of thousands of social media followers as The Hull Boy, set off on his 840-mile (1,350km) journey from Land's End to John O'Groats on 17-year-old started to run one mile a day a year ago, before taking part in his first marathon in September, accompanied by his friend Russ Cook - known as Hardest Geezer - who made global headlines after running along the length of Africa. Marcus, who lives with his parents in Malton, North Yorkshire, said: "I'm loving every minute of it. I like being outdoors." However, Marcus admitted the challenge was proving tough, both physically and mentally, with hills sapping his previously said he had suffered with mental health challenges so enjoying the outdoors while raising money for the Mind mental health charity was important to him."I genuinely believe anyone can achieve anything if they put their mind to it," he revealed he was inspired to attempt his latest challenge after being asked by Mr Cook what he wanted to achieve in teenager, who hopes the run will raise £20,000 for Mind, said he replied that it was his "dream" to run the length of the UK. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
29-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Lancaster man says 'sweaty' post-run selfie was turning point for mental health
A man struggling with depression, whose "sweaty" post-run selfie led to a wave of support on social media from other runners, has said it was a "turning point" for his mental health. Joshua Brandwood, 30, of Lancaster, said he had been trying to cope by binge eating and had gained about three stones when he decided to go for a run and he has since signed up for a charity 21-mile posted a photo of his "small victory" on X and received more than 1,000 messages of support including one from The Hull Boy who has 80,000 followers and is a champion for fitness and mental Brandwood is now joining the teenager on part of his charity run from Land's End to John o' Groats. The photographer is more comfortable behind the camera lens and finds the irony in how his quick selfie went viral with more than 220,000 views of "me looking sweaty after a run".The father-of-two said he was so surprised at how it snowballed with "incredible" messages of support from over all the world."It was overwhelming the positivity - it shows people care," he said. "It has restored my faith in people." MIND fundraiser The Hull Boy, who is originally from Hull but now lives in North Yorkshire, was one of those who reached out to has led to Mr Brandwood pledging to join him for the Lancaster to Kendal part of his run. The Hull Boy is due to start his run in aid of the mental health charity on 1 April with Mr Brandwood set to do the Lancaster to Kendal stretch on 23 April."This run is really exciting," he said. "It's a big challenge for me and has given me a sense of purpose."It has motivated me to turn my life around and break the cycle of being down and binge-eating."And if it could motivate others in a similar position to do the same, he said it was a "win-win". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
