Rovers fan Peter Cooper ran a full marathon within in the confines of his 8 metre Hong Kong apartment on Sunday to raise money for Cardiomyopathy UK - a charity supporting families affected by heart muscle disease and Mind.
Peter was due to complete a number of marathons over the summer but, with most of the world in lockdown due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, he decided to complete the 26 mile race by doing laps of his living room - 5,250 of them!
The task took Peter four hours 39 minutes in total and he had to change direction several times to stop himself from getting dizzy.
At 22 miles, Peter was ready to give up, but with most of the hard yards behind him, and friends in the UK beginning to wake up and support him, he decided to plough on steaming the final few miles of his run on his LinkedIn page to help get him through it.
Peter was running to raise awareness for two charities: Mind – who are currently doing excellent work to support people through the mental health strain of isolation and quarantine – and Cardiomyopathy UK.
Peter became a runner because of his mother Marilyn who was a keen runner completing all six major marathons. Marilyn sadly passed away from a heart attack in 2016 after crossing the finish line at the London Marathon.
After this, Peter and his brother were tested for heart conditions and Peter was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) a condition which Cardiomyopathy UK have supported him through.
Cardiomyopathy are the only UK charity dedicated to providing support and information to those affected by heart conditions condition. The charity help people live long and fulfilling lives which made possible by prompt diagnosis, treatment and medical education.
Peter used to travel home and away with Rovers when he lived in Devon, but has had to follow from afar since making the move to Hong Kong.
You can donated to Peter’s JustGiving pages here: MIND and Cardiomyopathy UK