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London Marathon marks seven in a row for Outlaw marathon man

Created On: 15 April 2011

The Outlaw Triathlon's marathon man, Rik Vercoe, has completed six of the thirty consecutive weekly marathons that he's aiming to achieve this year, and is preparing for the big one, the Virgin London Marathon, this weekend.

His run as part of a relay at the Outlaw Triathlon on 24 July will represent marathon number 21, and he's aiming to complete it in under three hours thirty minutes - all to mark the 30th anniversary of his chosen charity, the Elizabeth Foundation for Deaf Children.

His challenge started on 6 March with the Steyning Stinger Marathon along the South Downs in West Sussex. He said: "It's called the 'Stinger' for the four stinging hills that this tough cross-country course takes the unsuspecting runner over.  For me, this course was to have a fifth sting in store, as a wrong turn near mile 20, saw me generously add an extra 2 miles to the distance!"

His result was 40^th place overall and a 3hour 45 finishing time - his slowest time to date. He also picked up a tight left calf, a large blister and loose toenails. Five more events later, his fastest effort to date was at the Cotswold Marathon on 20 March - 3:14:30, and his feet and calves are holding up well!

Rik will complete his seventh marathon this weekend in London. He said: "I can't wait; I hope it turns out to be a good one!

"London is how it all started for me, back in 1981 when I saw the first ever London Marathon on TV.  Right there and then I pledged that one day I would run a marathon.  Little did I know that 30 years later I would be running the London marathon as just one of many! "

Outlaw sponsors, Compressport, have stepped in to provide some help for Rik's tight calves - a pair of calf guards are on their way to his home in Surrey and he's been invited to join 'Team Compressport' to ensure that he makes it all the way to his final race in the New Forest on 25 September.

Tim Williams from Compressport said: "Recovery between races needs to be really fast so Rik can keep bouncing back for the next one. The Compressport gear will help him recover more quickly by boosting oxygenation to the muscles."

Rik will race the Outlaw with friends Malik Chibah, who will do the 2.4mile swim, and David Anderson who will ride the 112mile course around the beautiful Nottinghamshire countryside. He said: "Hopefully we will all go on to do full Ironmans in the future."

Please support Rik on http://www.justgiving.com/30Marathons.

The Outlaw recently won 220 Triathlon's Event of the Year. It will take place on 24 July at the Holme Pierrepont National Watersports Centre in Nottingham. Individual and relay entries are available on http://www.onestepbeyond.org.uk.

Rik's Races so far...

• 6 March, Steyning Stinger Marathon, 3:45:36
• 13 March, Bedford Clanger Marathon, 3:42:52
• 20 March, Cotswold Marathon, 3:14:30
• 27 March, Brighton Trail Marathon, 3:39:12
• 3 April, Sussex Marathon, 3:32:36
• 10 April, Great Welsh Marathon, 3:25:40

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