Mark Doris, has been using running as a vehicle to raise vital funds for SANDS, the UK's leading pregnancy and baby loss charity, for more than ten years.

The charity is close to Mark's heart as he runs in memory of his stillborn son, Marco, who would have been 11 later this year.

His fundraising efforts have seen Mark raise more than £27,000 for SANDS. And along the way, he has tackled a wide variety of runs including obstacle course races and the 95-mile West Highland Way ultra marathon.

The latter event was an epic adventure three years, two attempts and one knee operation in the making. Mark eventually completed the run last year in 34 hours and 29 minutes, a phenomenal tribute to his resilience and the power of running for a cause.

Next on his list is this year's London Marathon, an event he is already training hard for - and will once again be running for SANDS.

Running Tales spoke to Mark about his running and fundraising efforts, the importance of SANDS, and how he managed to beat the West Highland Way...

Sponsor Mark to run The London Marathon for SANDS:

Mark's ⁠London Marathon fundraiser⁠

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This week's guests, Tom Doherty and Lewis Thompson, have taken overcoming adversity to another level, and are now reaping the rewards through a succession of crazy running challenges.

Tom's story began in 2023 when he was diagnosed with cancer and underwent six hours of surgery. A full year of gruelling treatment followed, but Tom emerged with renewed vigour and a desire to take his second chance at life.

Running has been his challenge of choice, with every mile a reminder of what he's overcome and how far he can go.

His partner in running crime, Lewis, was told he had a blood clot in 2024, eventually resulting in an operation to have a rib removed at the start of last year.

The former golf pro turned to running to get his fitness fix, and signed up for the Leeds Marathon after getting the news his mum had been diagnosed with cancer.

These days, the two friends have joined forces to run side by side through their recovery and across a host of distances from 5ks to ultra marathons. They do so under the moniker of the Stomp Bro's, chronicling their journey on Instagram.

And with the Manchester Marathon and a 100k ultra in the Lake District in their sights, as well as their own newly formed running club, they have plenty of stomping to do.

Running Tales tracked them down at a rare non-stomping moment to ask them about confronting illness at such a young age, finding solace - and power - in running, and becoming The Stomp Bro's...

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Path Projects offer some of the best running gear in the business. I love this kit and it looks really cool even on a 48-year-old, decidedly average runner like me!

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Follow Tom and Lewis:

Check out The Stomp Bro's on Instagram

Donate to Tom and Lewis' Lake District 100k fundraiser for Breast Cancer Now

Dan Braddock started to get serious about his fitness back in 2010 after years of, in his own words, being on the chunky side.

Initially, he started cycling to and from work, something he enjoyed so much that he rapidly graduated to taking part in cyclosportive events all around the UK.

His running journey started in 2016, when - as with so many people - he began parkrunning. With both cycling and running now part of his life, it was a logical step into the world of triathlon.

Over the eight years that followed, Dan took part in 20 triathlons - despite encountering health problems along the way, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and even a suspected heart issue.

By 2023, his fitness journey had seen him transition to marathons and he completed his first 26.2-miles in Stockholm. He has since completed several European marathons, with London, Copenhagen and Valencia to his name, knocking large chunks off his time as he did so.

Dan is also the man behind the 'Other Adventures Await Me' YouTube channel, where he chronicles his running experiences.

Running Tales spoke to Dan about why he has fallen in love with running, chronicling the stories of runs and runners whatever their ability, and overcoming injury and other setbacks to hit his marathon goals...

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Path Projects offer some of the best running gear in the business. I love this kit and it looks really cool even on a 48-year-old, decidedly average runner like me!

Visit⁠⁠⁠⁠ Path Projects via this link⁠⁠⁠⁠ and back Running Tales in the process (affiliate link).

Follow Dan Braddock's journey on his 'Other Adventures Await Me' YouTube channel.