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Mentally it was a huge test of discipline and resilience

One Saturday morning in July 2025 Adam Rodriguez ran a marathon in Hereford. For most people that’s probably where their personal challenge would finish. But for Adam it was just the start of a year-long commitment to running, fundraising and awareness-raising – all for MOVE Against Cancer charity following his mother’s own cancer journey. Hereford was the first of 55 marathons, one in each city in England, completed over 52 weeks. Here Adam shares the highs and lows of his awesome challenge…

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I undertook this challenge to see every corner of England, to test both my body and my mind, and to embrace the adventure that comes with pushing beyond comfort – one marathon, once city and one story at a time.

Newcastle was special and it stands out for me. It was my 16th marathon into the challenge and my first time visiting the city. It required over 12 hours of driving there and back but it was kick-started with a radio interview at BBC North East which was a great experience. I then had the pleasure of running past St James Park and even made a trip up to the top of the New Castle (where the city gained its name). I also found myself coming across a forest choir in a more rural area, making it an exciting mixture of events all in one day!

London was also memorable as I was lucky enough to receive a charity place in the London Marathon, something I’d always wanted to do. I’d entered the ballot every year for a decade and finally it happened – it really was a dream come true!

The biggest challenge physically over the year was managing injuries. They weren’t severe enough to delay the challenge but enough to be a nuisance! I dealt with symptoms similar to plantar fasciitis for much of the challenge, which was basically just pain at the bottom of my feet. For the final few marathons my physio suspected a stress fracture in my right foot, but the pain was all manageable enough for me to push through to the finish and complete all of them within a year period (358 days to be exact!)

Mentally it was a huge test of discipline and resilience. There were plenty of days when motivation was low, but committing to showing up every week taught me how much can be achieved through consistency and determination. There were also some unexpected challenges that never crossed my mind, like a flat tire on my way to a far away city, which required that additional mental strength to overcome. Overcoming these adversities certainly made the reward of completing the challenge extra special!

Running a marathon in a different corner of England every week meant that organisation was key. I planned routes, travel and accommodation well in advance and made the most of my weekends, balancing the challenge around a full-time job and spending time with family and friends. One of the biggest surprises was just how many conversations started because of the challenge. On 12 different occasions throughout the challenge I got asked for directions, despite it being my first time in the city! I guess people maybe expect a runner to be local and know the area, so they always looked a bit puzzled when I’d tell them I had no idea and it was my first time there! 

Meeting ambassadors, supporters and members of the public became one of the best parts of the challenge. It was amazing to hear other people’s stories, receive encouragement and see how many people connected with the idea. I’m incredibly proud to have completed it. My family and friends have been hugely supportive throughout, and seeing how proud they are of what I’ve achieved has made the challenge feel even more rewarding. At the half way point during my final marathon – in Salisbury – I received a video from my family and partner, all telling me how proud they were of me. It was just the boost I needed and completely unexpected. I will treasure it forever!