Runner takes on 100km challenge for second time

A MAN from Lewknor is to run an ultra-marathon for charity for the second time.

Andrew Tomkins, 37, will take part in the Thames Challenge next Saturday (September 9) to raise money for Helen and Douglas House, the children’s hospice in Oxford.

He aims to run the 100km (62 miles) along the Thames Path from Putney Bridge in London to Henley non-stop for 12 hours.

He completed the race last year but an injury meant he finished in 16 hours and 40 minutes, which was much slower than he had intended.

Mr Tomkins said: “I got to the 42nd kilometre and started to get Morton’s neuroma down my right foot. It feels like you’re stepping on a stone. At 46km, it was like a golf ball and I was in agony. I was also trying to battle away hallucinations.

“Injuries and hallucinations are part of ultra running — you just have to get into the right mindset. I was relieved to get to the end but disappointed my body let me down. But I raised a lot of money for Epilepsy Research UK.” Mr Tomkins has been a professional charity fundraiser for about 12 years and in 2016 set up Euphoric UK, which he says has raised millions for charities through door-to-door fundraising.

He said: “We have fundraised for Helen and Douglas House on and off for six or seven years. After covid, it was really tough for a lot of charities like children’s hospices, which cost more than £3 million a year to run.”

He has received donations from friends and family as well as some residents of Benson after he posted about his challenge on the village’s community Facebook page. Mr Tomkins said: “It is lovely to have that support. Times are really tough for a lot of people right now but these people are still willing to donate.”

The father of five took up running two years ago when a friend asked if he fancied taking part in a half marathon.

Mr Tomkins said: “I was 15-and-a-half stone, which doesn’t seem that bad but I am 5ft 9in. I was unfit and had a bad diet with a lot of beer.

“I thought: ‘I have five weeks, so yeah let’s give it a go.’ I trained for four weeks and took a week off. While I was training, I took on another three half marathons and a 10-mile event. I became addicted.”

Now he tries to run 25 miles a week to ensure he is always ready to take on a new challenge.

Mr Tomkins said: “With ultra- marathons, the miles are very long and slow. I am aiming to run the Thames Challenge in between 12 and 14 hours and run the whole way. I am going to meet my wife, Jodie, and a friend every six or seven miles. I will throw my empty water bottle at them and they will give me some refreshments like a sandwich or a pot noodle. My wife thinks I’m crazy but is so supportive.”

To make a donation, visit Mr Tomkins’s JustGiving page at https://tinyurl.com/mrpjp3cw