Most people would find doing one marathon a year a huge challenge - but one man has decided to run a marathon every single day in 2024. James Cooper, 36, from East Grinstead, has taken the challenge on to try to raise £703,000 for the Samaritans. James, a personal trainer, is over halfway through running 366 marathons in 366 days, joking “trust me to choose a leap year!” He was inspired to take on this epic challenge after struggling with depression himself. “In 2014 and 2015 I experienced a depressive period within my life that rocked me to my core, an emptiness that is difficult to convey with words,” James explains. “I’d been feeling pretty miserable on and off for a number of months. “I was struggling with a major challenge in my life - a long and difficult breakup, plus being at a crossroads with my work. "I felt as though I lacked direction and clarity. Most days were spent in isolation at home. I felt lonely, confused and without purpose. “As often depicted with depression, I felt a heavy and dark cloud over me. For a period of time I wallowed in that emptiness. “Zapped of energy, heavy in feeling and pain deep within my being. “I remember reading a book called Mindset by a lady called Carol S. Dweck. “I didn't quite realise at the time, but it planted a seed and ignited the faintest spark in my mind: the power to believe we can improve. “That who we are in this very moment isn't who we always have to be. It opened my awareness on an intellectual level that we can grow and things can and will improve through purposeful effort.” From this difficult period of life grew James’ own health and wellbeing initiative ‘Smilinggg’. The three Gs represent Gratitude, Generosity, and Growth. “Over the course of many months, with small but purposeful effort, my situation did slowly but surely improve, and what came from the darkness was Smilinggg,” James explains. “It's a philosophy I live by and the simple daily practice is to walk, jog or run a mile a day and during the mile, intentionally bring what's good in your life to mind, smile at those you pass and to recognise how you felt both before you went out and after you return. “The Smilinggg Mile proved fundamental in helping me improve my mental health and wellbeing. “It has since provided me with a framework to live my life by. Not bad considering it all started by Googling 'How to be happy.’" James decided to take on different endurance challenges every year since 2015, with the challenge increasing in terms of difficulty each year, until he reached 2024 and this huge project of running a marathon every single day. He lives near two trails that were formerly train lines, lined by trees and woodland, and completes his runs there daily. He has raised over £36,000 so far, but aims to raise £703,000 to represent the 703,000 people who die by suicide around the world every single year. The subject is close to his heart as he tragically lost his uncle to suicide in 2017. “I wanted to raise as much money as possible for the Samaritans Charity, and to raise awareness of their free telephone service which offers support for people going through difficult times,” James explains. “Every £1 matters as it honours each of those 703,000 people that have died. £703,000 could potentially save 140,600 lives. “In 2017 we sadly lost our beloved uncle to suicide. Losing a loved one in this manner sadly doesn’t stop the pain with them. “For every death caused by suicide, the pain, sadness and hurt ripples down to those who hold them dearly in their hearts that remain. "Losing someone to suicide always leaves you with unanswered questions. The Samaritans’ mission and vision couldn’t align any closer with what I care most about in this world. "Samaritans' vision is that fewer people die by suicide. They work to achieve this vision by making it their mission to alleviate emotional distress and reduce the incidence of suicidal feelings and suicidal behaviour. “Their telephone helpline is available for free to those living in the UK and ROI on 116 123, 24 hours a day, to provide emotional support for people who are struggling to cope, including those who have had thoughts of suicide. "I always think, what if these people that die by suicide knew about this helpline and thought to call? “I’ve always believed suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, and if only more people could call Samaritans, it might just help lower the number of people that die by suicide every single year. “Ultimately, the work Samaritans do is particularly close to my heart because I don’t want other people to experience the pain and sadness of losing a loved one. I also don’t want people who are suffering to feel like they have no hope or no other option. “The Samaritans telephone helpline can be that hope. It’s a reminder that you’re never alone, and there’s always someone there for you when you need them the most. “I have spoken to many people who have called Samaritans during their time of need. They’ve often confided in me and said they’re not sure if they’d still be here, having not made that call. “There really is no donation too small. Every £1 honours a life and takes us £1 closer to reaching our target.” Unsurprisingly, the challenge has been tough for James, but he has found incredible benefits so far and enjoys the feeling of purpose and meaning he is experiencing while undertaking his marathons. “The first month was tough - the dark mornings, the body was adapting and bedding in,” he reveals. “We had niggles and some of the marathons took upwards of six and a half hours. “I also work as a personal trainer in the afternoons during the week. It was a tiring time. “Every month has challenges: tiredness, moods, each month usually follows a similar pattern. “Enthusiasm turns into low periods where the last thing you want to do is go out and run for five hours before work. “But that's why it’s called a challenge. If it was easy, there'd be no growth in the process. “Regardless of how I’m feeling, I always remind myself that what I am doing this year is a privilege. During the good days, I enjoy. During the difficult days, I endure. “But regardless of the experience on any given day, the overarching feeling is gratitude and appreciation that I am able to do something of this magnitude. “This challenge is tough. It requires a huge amount of discipline. A very mindful approach to running, and at no point in my day is the run far from my mind. “I’m either running the distance each day, recovering from the distance each day, or preparing for the next day’s distance. "But I chose to take on this challenge. It’s what I coin ‘voluntary adversity.’ On days when it’s tough, I remind myself that I chose to do this. There are a lot of people suffering in this world right now, and unfortunately, it's beyond their control. Keeping that as a reminder prevents me from ever falling too low in mood or belief. “I’m not sure if I’ve ever had a year in my life that has felt as rich as this one. The purpose, meaning and growth acquired from setting this challenge and going after it each and every day. “It’s something I know I’ll look back on and wonder how on earth I managed it, but right now I’m in the thick of it. “Some of the best parts have been seeing the change in seasons, although we seem to have forgotten about summer this year. “It's been incredible running into sunrise earlier in the year. The beauty of nature and the animals that you see along the trail. “Highlights can come in many ways. It's been the incredible support of the local community. It's been seeing the fundraising continue to grow. “The community runs which take place on the last Sunday of the month at 8am at Middle Row in East Grinstead have probably been the biggest highlight. “Knowing the challenge is positively impacting people makes the difficult days so much more rewarding. “It's also been special to run with my fiancee Annabel most Sundays. It's been a lovely addition to our relationship. Annabel recently ran her first marathon, and without this challenge, I'm not sure if that's something she'd be doing.” James says his family and friends have been incredibly supportive of the enormous challenge he’s taken on, and he’s even inspired others to take up running too. “My family and friends have been truly supportive of this latest challenge,” he reveals. “I think because they know the trajectory of the last nine years and how I’ve been building every year with my endurance pursuits, they're never too shocked or surprised by my challenge announcements. “However this particular challenge I think certainly made people question whether I’ve bitten off more than I could chew - whether they said it publicly or not. “Ultimately my family just care for my health, so there were naturally concerns going into it. But as I’ve said all along, there’s a big difference between racing a marathon and running a marathon distance. "Those outside of my family and friendship group for the most part have been massively inspired and encouraging of the endeavour I am taking on. “Naturally some people have called me crazy, some people have said it’s not possible. “I always remind myself that naysayers are simply projecting of themselves and ultimately it’s difficult to wrap your head around something such as 366 marathons in 366 days. “As the months pass and I continue to get closer to my goal, more support is arriving. “My family and friends ultimately feel a great deal of pride and love for what I’m taking on. “I’ve definitely not been able to see friends and family as much as I’d usually see them, but I feel the love and support and I’m truly appreciative of it. “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. So many people have been touched by the challenge and what it represents. “I've had some incredible messages from people who share with me that they are back running because of the challenge, or they've done something they never thought was possible before. “Ultimately the challenge is about doing more than you thought was possible. It's a mindset. It's been very pleasing to see the fundraising grow, the community continue to grow and the opportunities to expand the reach of the mission grow too. “I hope this continues to pick up more steam in the weeks and months ahead. “The challenge also provides me with a wonderful opportunity to grow in my own life. “A challenge such as this requires discipline, resilience and other qualities that I believe help improve you as a person. “The voluntary adversity will, all being well, help me during challenging times in the future.” James has also found that running has been incredibly beneficial for his sense of wellbeing. “I’ve found running to be one of the best things for my mental health,” he adds. “The Smilinggg mile is a way to increase the benefits of running from a mental health perspective. “I also feel that combining running with fundraising for a cause close to your heart is an incredible way to further enhance the benefits to one’s wellbeing. It provides accountability, meaning and a real sense of purpose. “Running can be as meaningful as you wish to make it. For some people running is simply a means to let off some steam after a long day at work, or to set oneself up for the day ahead. “For me personally, it’s been a way for me to delve deeper into my own psyche and develop as a human being. “Sometimes running is a meditative moment, listening to the sounds of the birds morning chorus, hearing the gravel crunch underfoot, following the gentle flow of air in and out through the nose. “Other times it’s an opportunity to cultivate mental resilience, pushing through barriers you thought were unbreakable. Strengthening one’s resolve. Building discipline. Running even though you don’t want to. “Running is a time-lapse of life. You’ll have highs. You’ll have lows. How do you cope with the difficult moments? Do you give yourself the space to enjoy the good moments? “What we experience in a run can be applied to life. After all, life is the ultimate endurance race. “For anyone thinking about starting to run, my advice would be simple. Remove any expectations or pressures. Recognise the mind’s tendency to label things. “You’re not slow. You’re not rubbish. You’re just starting out. Everyone starts out as a beginner. “Regardless of what you hear, walking is absolutely fine! Run for a bit. Walk for a bit. Just build up the habit first. “Commit to spending 10 or 15 minutes outside and during that time, walk when you want to walk, run when you want to run. “There’s plenty of time to get into the nitty gritty of distance and racing, if that’s what you wish to pursue. But to begin with, just allow this time to be for you. No distractions. An opportunity to be off your phone, and to immerse yourself in your surroundings. “The Smilinggg mile was founded by me when I was just starting out. It’s a wonderful way to cultivate the habit of walking, jogging and running. “Lao Tzu so elegantly wrote ‘The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step’. "Learn to enjoy the steps. But also appreciate it will be challenging at times. But there’s beauty in that struggle. We can either persevere and get stronger or give up. “Use your time on your feet to become stronger in mind, body and spirit. Worry less about your speed, distance and whatever you do, don’t compare yourself to others. After all, comparison is the thief of joy. “And lastly, recognise how you felt after finishing. Carry that ‘high’ into the next run. It might have been tough but you did it! “It’ll never stop being hard, lacing up your shoes and setting out for the run. “So far, I’ve run 203 marathons in 203 days, and the toughest part remains getting out the front door. That’s the first challenge to overcome. “Each time you do it, your sense of pride increases just a smidgen. Keep going. Keep Smilinggg.” James documents his journey at @SmilingggMan on Instagram and smilinggg.com. To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/smilinggg366. Call Samaritans Charity free any time, from any phone on 116 123 (UK & ROI). Featuring: James Cooper When: 26 Jul 2024 Credit: James Cooper/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR SUPPLIER.**