Leodhais' fundraise first caught our attention through a post on Instagram. And whilst the challenge might sounds alluring, this is a seriously tough feat of endurance, by any standard.
We notice on Strava that he's local - so we arrange to meet. Aged just 24 and standing 6'5 tall, Leodhais isn't your 'typical' endurance runner. In fact he tells us, he's much more comfortable with short distance. So why on earth is he attempting to run 3,332 miles over 128 consecutive days—a marathon a day?!
At the time of sharing this post, he's 58 days into his 128 day challenge and it hasn't been easy - but Leodhais's motivation is unwavering - and for good reason: he's running in memory of his brother Conor, who he lost to suicide 6 years ago.
Over to Leodhais.
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Q: Why did you start this challenge?
This challenge is for my brother, Conor. He died by suicide, and I wanted to do something in his memory—something that truly reflects the scale of what losing him has meant. He always talked about moving to New York, so I decided to run the equivalent distance from Newcastle to New York: 3,332 miles over 128 consecutive days—a marathon a day.
But this challenge isn’t just about the running. It’s about raising awareness of suicide, mental health, and the impact it has on families and communities. I’m fundraising for If U Care Share and RNLI, two great charities that save lives.
Q: How has the challenge been so far?
Physically, it’s tough, but manageable. My body is adapting to the mileage, and I’ve put a solid recovery routine in place—eating 6,000 calories a day, stretching, foam rolling, and using compression boots. I’ve also been fortunate to receive gifted physio and massage treatments, which have been a huge help in keeping me moving.
But the hardest part hasn’t been the running—it’s been the conversations. Talking about suicide, about Conor, about grief—it’s emotionally exhausting. Every day, I meet people who share their own experiences, their own losses, and it’s heartbreaking. But it also reminds me why I’m doing this. Suicide isn’t something we should shy away from talking about. If these conversations can help even one person, they’re worth having.
Q: What have been the biggest challenges so far?
The emotional weight of the challenge has been heavier than I expected. Running a marathon every day is tough, but grief is tougher. Some days, I feel strong. Other days, it feels like I’m carrying the weight of Conor’s loss with every step.
Logistically, it’s also been challenging—making sure I eat enough, recover properly, and manage the strain on my body. The 6,000 calories a day target is sometimes harder to hit than the miles themselves. Finding the balance between pushing through pain and knowing when to listen to my body has been a learning curve.
Q: What’s kept you going?
The support has been incredible. Every message, every donation, every person who shares their own story—it all fuels me. The thought of Conor keeps me going, too. He’s in my mind every mile. I wish he was here to see this, but in a way, I feel like he’s with me.
I’ve also learned to take it one day at a time. If I think too far ahead, it feels overwhelming. But if I just focus on today’s run, today’s reason to keep going, it feels possible.
Q: What do you hope people take from this challenge?
That it’s okay to talk. That if you’re struggling, you’re not alone. That there are people who care, who will listen, who want you to be here.
I also hope this challenge raises awareness of how suicide affects those left behind. The grief doesn’t go away. But by talking about it, by supporting each other, we can make sure fewer families go through this pain.
Q: How can people support you?
If you’d like to donate, share the challenge, or just follow along, it all helps. Every bit of support reminds me why I’m doing this. And if you’re struggling, reach out—whether to a friend, a family member, or one of the charities I’m supporting.
Instagram - @ncl_to_nyc
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