Pontefract man runs 300km in 30 days in memory of his step-brother and best friend

In 2005, Adam Haywood lost his best friend, Johnathan 'Johnny' Leigh when he went into sudden cardiac arrest, followed seven years later by his step-brother, Michael Land. To honour their memory and raise awareness, Adam started taking part in fundraisers for registered charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) who devote time and research into sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, screening and supporting affected families. His latest fundraising effort will see him run 300km in 30 days - running 10km each day for the duration. Adam said: “When I lost Johnny and Michael, it opened my eyes and I started doing as much as I could to fundraise for CRY. “It really hit home when I’d lost both Johnny and Michael, so me, my dad, my stepmum and our mates have been doing all sorts to raise as much funds and awareness ever since. “Running has really helped my mental health and I’ve always been quite fit so it seemed like common sense to raise some money while doing something that helped me too. “So that’s when the idea for 300km in 30 days came about.” Adam set himself a target of completing the whole 300km in 24 hours of running time, so each of his 10km routes will average out at around 48 minutes each. After some careful planning, he set out on his first run on January 15. And just two weeks in, he’s raised nearly £1,500, smashing his initial target of £300. Adam said: “I tried to do it to sync up with Johnny’s birthday, which is at the end of January and the anniversary of Michael's death is on February 4. “On Johnny’s birthday I’ll be running from his house. “I’ve tried to do a different route each day, I’ve purposely tried to plan them so I pass my mates’ houses and other people who have supported me through rough times. “The support’s been great, people I know have come on some of the routes with me, riding on bikes at the side of me and cheering me on.” Adam would like to finish his final run at the A1 Football Factory on Skinner Lane on Saturday, February 13. He’s chosen to set the Football Factory as his end goal as a thank you to Paul Green, Simon Fletcher and the rest of the staff for their work supporting CRY. Adam hopes to finish in the car park, so friends and family can cheer him over the finish line in a safe and socially distant way. To support Adam and donate to his cause, click here