Runner doubles fundraising goal after 'gruelling' 100km around Braywick track

A runner from Burchetts Green clocked 100km around the Braywick Park athletics track in one day – potentially setting a new record for the venue.

After taking up running two years ago, Isaac Morris set himself the personal challenge in aid of Heads Above the Waves, a mental-health charity supporting children and young people.

This required 250 laps of the 400m track in nearly 14 hours.

Isaac set off at 8am and finished just before midnight on Saturday.

“It was just brutal. Absolutely brutal,” the 24-year-old told the Advertiser.

“Doing 100km around a 400m track adds to the mental challenge that it is.

“Although running at a distance is obviously a physical feat, it’s more of a mental challenge because it’s just so gruelling.

“It’s so repetitive, and I think there was certainly comedic value for me when I posed myself the challenge.”

This is because there wasn’t any training involved.

Isaac, who works as a business analyst, added: “Before the run, I’d run 217km across the 11 months, with the longest run being 30km, so in terms of preparation, I left myself with none.

“Unfortunately, I’m a procrastinator, so if I don’t set a date, it won’t get done.”

The Burchetts Green runner gave himself four weeks to prepare for his track test but as the date approached, nerves set in as some of his shorter runs were leading to discomfort.

“It was about getting to the date injury-free. I knew as soon as I started the run, I’d finish it.”

Isaac’s previous challenges in the past two years included a half-marathon around Burchetts Green and running the 72km circumference of Koh Samui Island in Thailand.

But the former St Mary’s Catholic Primary School pupil said this was his first time running for charity, and it was nice seeing the generosity extend beyond his family and friends.

“What’s great is the spread of donations – it’s not just my family and friends – it’s people I don’t know in the Maidenhead community who still wanted to support.

“A lot of my friends came along and ran, five, 10, 20km – one even ran 45km – so I had a lot of support on the day.

“It was fantastic.”

His girlfriend, Francesca Di Cioccio, was by his side through chilly conditions, fuelling him with electrolytes, gels, and jelly babies, and said Isaac’s determination was ‘inspiring to watch’.

“We’re all incredibly proud,” she said.

“A member of the Braywick track team told us that the previous longest known distance run there was a marathon (42km), so Isaac’s 100km appears to be a new milestone for the track.”

Around 11km of the 100km total was run around the Maidenhead Rugby pitch, while the Junior Athletics Club hired the track for two hours on Saturday.

Nevertheless, Isaac originally aimed for a fundraising total of £1,000 but has more than doubled this to £2,560 – and it’s still growing.

“Running for charity is always a good source of motivation because someone I know got help from there eight years ago,” said Isaac.

“To raise 2,500 is a huge amount for a small charity.”

To donate, visit: www.givey.com/isaacs100kmrun