Charity runner does a 10k every day for 500 days - and he's doing 500 more!

Five hundred and counting - that's amazing fundraiser Scott Baker who just doesn't stop running.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Apr 2018, 06:00 BST
Scott Baker is welcomed by family and friends at the halfway mark of his 1000th 10K run on consecutive days, at the Tommy statue, Seaham on Saturday.Scott Baker is welcomed by family and friends at the halfway mark of his 1000th 10K run on consecutive days, at the Tommy statue, Seaham on Saturday.
Scott Baker is welcomed by family and friends at the halfway mark of his 1000th 10K run on consecutive days, at the Tommy statue, Seaham on Saturday.

The Seaham father-of-two has reached the halfway stage in his bid to do a 10k run every day for 1,000 days. He’s doing it to raise awareness as well as funds for Target Ovarian Cancer and he won’t finish until August, 2019.

So far, he has battled through snow, hail, sleet, rain and admitted: “There’s not been a lot of sun. My 500th one was the first one in ages where I did it in just a running vest.”

Scott Baker at the Tommy statue.Scott Baker at the Tommy statue.
Scott Baker at the Tommy statue.
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But it’s all for a fantastic cause. His mum Val, 67, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and needed chemotherapy.

To raise more awareness, Scott decided to take to the roads and yet he remains modest about his challenge. “I am just running. I am doing it for my mum and other people out there who have a lot to go through.”

Scott, who is dad to Sam, 10, and Rosie, 12, is getting through the runs each day in times of 41 to 44 minutes and uses his own motivation for every run. “I never take music. I just run along,” said the Durham County Council premises assistant.

So far, he has remained injury free and raised more than £2,200.

Scott Baker is welcomed by his brother Peter and family and friends at the halfway mark of his 1000th 10K run on consecutive days, at the Tommy statue, Seaham on Saturday.Scott Baker is welcomed by his brother Peter and family and friends at the halfway mark of his 1000th 10K run on consecutive days, at the Tommy statue, Seaham on Saturday.
Scott Baker is welcomed by his brother Peter and family and friends at the halfway mark of his 1000th 10K run on consecutive days, at the Tommy statue, Seaham on Saturday.
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His incredible efforts saw him being highly commended in the Fundraiser of the Year category of the Best of Wearside Awards earlier this year.

We caught up with him after his 500th run and he said: “To be honest, it feels as if it has gone really quickly so far. I am in the routine and I know what I am doing.”

But Scott is only halfway in his phenominal campaign to do 1,000 10k runs and would love it if even more people would offer their support for the battle against ovarian cancer.

About 7,300 UK women are diagnosed each year and 4,100 women lose their lives each year – that’s 11 women every day.

Scott Baker is welcomed by family and friends at the halfway mark of his 1000th 10K run on consecutive days, at the Tommy statue, Seaham on Saturday.Scott Baker is welcomed by family and friends at the halfway mark of his 1000th 10K run on consecutive days, at the Tommy statue, Seaham on Saturday.
Scott Baker is welcomed by family and friends at the halfway mark of his 1000th 10K run on consecutive days, at the Tommy statue, Seaham on Saturday.
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A woman in the UK has a one in 50 chance of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in her lifetime.

Scott is due to do his last run on Tuesday, August 27, next year. And when asked what he is going to do once it is all over, he said: “I’ll probably go for a run.”

To support Scott, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/scott-baker1000.

Related topics:SeahamDurham County Council