A running group have finished their fourth marathon of seven in Salford, as they travel around the country raising awareness and funds for Motor Neuron Diesease.
The challenge, MND 777, was inspired by the sad death of our Patron, Rob Burrow on 2 June 2024 – with a group deciding to run seven marathons in a week aiming to raise £17,777.
The group began their challenge on Sunday 4 May, and have already ran marathons across, Portishead, Birmingham, and Merseyside with the intention of finishing in Leeds on the final day.
So far, the group have been able to raise £7,800 on their journey – with more donations expected across the week as they run across Greater Manchester finishing at MediaCity before going across Lancashire and Tyne and Wear. 
The team set on their journey yesterday (Thursday 9 May), and were able to motivate themselves across the country stopping at the Flower Stop in Worsley before running and finishing the tough fourth day in MediaCity.
The route was arranged by runner Martyn, who is completing his fourth endurance challenge and organised the run for Motor Neuron Disease.
For the fundraiser he planned everything himself including all the routes, sponsors, clothing, and nutrition.
His daughter Holly Clarke said: “My dad is running seven marathons in seven days in seven UK counties for four MND charities- Motor Neurone Disease Association, Leeds Hospital Charity, Darby Rimmer Foundation, Mel Evans MBE Foundation.
“My dad is such a crazy man and I’m not quite sure how he does it. We’ve just finished in Greater Manchester and the atmosphere was just incredible, to be welcomed onto ITV at Media City by Daniel Brocklebank from Coronation Street was amazing and something I can’t really describe.”
She continued: “My dad is truly my biggest inspiration and this just proves he’s also an influence on other people’s lives, as this many people are also crazy enough to join him on this challenge.
“So big thank you to everyone who’s supported him it means the world!
“He’s truly unbelievable and just wants to make a difference and raise awareness for such a cruel disease.”
The group were also joined by Ruth Robson, who wasn’t able to do the run but tasked herself with the effort of 777 burpees before they arrived at Flower Stop in Worsley.
She said: “I am doing 777 unbroken burpees tomorrow, it is stupid and crazy. I will be doing them at the Flower Stop and waiting for them to arrive. The sevens stand for the challenge and we all just wanted to show our commitment to the cause.”
Starting her burpees at 10.30am, she will be joining the runners on the journey for the final stretch towards MediaCity.
“We are Salford and proud, and I just think we should be cheering them on as much as can – for them to get up everyday and go again is mind blowing.”
Ruth continued: “I wanted to show support as they are normal guys, normal people and they are doing what they can. So they have committed to doing seven marathons, in seven different counties, across seven consecutive days.
“Physically that is a rough challenge, and we want to raise as much as we can for the charity. Sadly, I was too late to train for a marathon, or I would end up with a paramedic.
“But we want to drum up the support that we can do for them,” she added: “We got involved because some of the cast from Corrie come here for a drink.
“And after the recent story line with Paul, we just got chatting about the show and it turns out that a lot of the people in the area have had direct families who have MND and then the owners of the stop wanted to help.”
The group will be finishing in Leeds, and will be joined by Rob Burrow’s sister on the final run – showing support for Motor neurone disease (MND).
“But these are normal people, they work in offices every day and they have got so much support from the community – these people have given a lot for the cause and stopping in Salford is fantastic.”
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