Barry dad to complete 100 mile challenge for therapy charity

Mike Jenkins, 36, an Ultra Runner from Barry, has been running Ultra Marathons since 2019, and this year has decided to take a big step and realise his long term dream of running a 100-mile race. 

He plans to run this challenge alongside six other races he has been completing in just a six-month period from April to September 2024.

These included one 50-mile run, two 40-mile runs, three 30-mile runs and the Epona 100 mile which included 18,000ft of elevation.

This next challenge will be fundraising for bigmoose, a charity, based in Cardiff, that provide lifesaving therapy in a very short time frame.

Mr Jenkins explained: “I wanted to give back and support bigmoose, as they supported me with crucial therapy only recently.

"After running 1200 miles in 2024 so far and climbing 150,000ft, the equivalent of five Mount Everests, I thought I'd put my legs to good use and choose a slightly different challenge, 100 miles up and down the promenade at Barry Island.

"The fact this is totally flat will be a monotonous and arduous task for someone who loves running up mountains!

“However, this pain and suffering is minimal compared to those who struggle with their mental health on a daily basis, and I want to highlight that charities like bigmoose can help show that there's light at the end of the tunnel.”

Mike Jenkins has been running Ultra Marathons since 2019 but this is a new challenge for him (Image: Mike Jenkins) Mr Jenkins plans to begin his challenge at 2pm on Friday, September 27 at Marco’s Café in Barry, which has been offered as a central hub for him to use during the run.

He will then run 580 metres under the Eastern Shelter on Barry Island, to the fountain and back, around 150 times.

The run will last until Mr Jenkins completes his approximate 300 lengths, which he admits is likely to include overnight, meaning it will roll into Saturday, September 28, although he does hope to be done by the Saturday evening.

He added: “My aim is for people to come and join me, whether that be for one length or however many they'd like where we can chat, open up and help reduce the stigma around how we feel in our heads.

“I’d like to thank Marco of Marco’s Café for kindly offering his café as a central hub, and also local businessman Louis Ross, founder of Barrybados, who has also sponsored this charity run."

If you would like to donate to Mr Jenkins’ 100-mile running challenge in September, you can do so by visiting his JustGiving page here.