Dad, 64, runs whole TfL transport network including London Underground, Overground, DLR and Elizabeth line
A dad reckons he's the first person to have run London’s entire transport network - covering almost 500 miles in four months.
Dave Thomas, 64, covered the 12 Tube lines, six Overground lines, the tramlines, the Docklands Light Railway - and a cable car.
Having taken a selfie at each station for evidence, the retired NHS worker is now hoping to hear back from Guinness World Records about whether his achievement is record-worthy.
But he says he's been in touch with Transport for London (TfL) who believe his efforts are "unique."
The dad-of-two has raised nearly £6,000 by taking on the challenge, which will be donated to the Chance for Children charity.
Dave said: “I wanted to raise money for charity, but I couldn’t just ask people to sponsor me to run a marathon because I do those all the time.
“I contacted Transport for London and they think it is unique. People have run the Tube lines before but no one has ever run the Tubes, trains, DLR and the trams.
“I promised the charity £2,500 and I have almost got £6,000 now so they will be very happy about that.
“I was absolutely amazed by how many people donated. I have been gob smacked by the amount of money and support that they have given.”
Dave was inspired to start running ten years ago after a troubling visit with his GP revealed that he was overweight and at risk of getting diabetes.
The news was a wake-up call and through running Dave managed to lose an impressive three stone.
He added: “I was going down the line of diabetes and I didn’t want to go down that road. I started running and I lost three stone. It is a very good way of keeping fit.”
One day, when he was tackling his London transport themed jigsaw puzzle, inspiration struck to try and travel between all the places before him- by running to all of them.
Preparation started immediately, and it took Dave around four months to plan the route, which he says was the hardest part of the challenge.
In total, the trips added up to 485 miles across 40 runs, each taking between two and three hours to complete.
Dave started at Morden in September and ran to Battersea Power Station on his first trip, saying that all of his friends thought he was “bonkers”.
Some of the hardest runs along the way came from the newly added Elizabeth line - which meant Dave had to travel as far as Reading.
Battling rainy English weather and cold conditions, he says he almost gave up many times but that the money donated kept him motivated.
He added: “There was one Sunday in October where all my friends were in the pub or at home with a Sunday dinner and I was running from Upminster to Barking in the pouring rain and cold.
"It was around my hundredth run and I thought ‘how am I going to do another 400 of these.’
“There has been some really challenging times. It was difficult but I kept going. The money people were giving kept me going- I had to do it for them.”
Along the way Dave was supported by his wife Sue, 55, who shares his love of running, and his two children Daniel, 26, and Emma, 24.
The final stop on the journey was his home station of High Barnet, which he ran to from Kentish Town along with 15 friends on Sunday (January 26).
Arriving at the finish line, a crowd of supporters gathered to cheer him on and take him to the pub for a few pints.
Dave said: “I felt so proud that I had done it. There were a couple of times when I thought about giving up.
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“About 20 people met me at the finish line as a surprise which was lovely. We all went to the pub to celebrate. I think many people will be pleased it’s over as well as me.
“It was really emotional crossing that finish line. I mostly felt relief. I was overcome by all the people there.
"When I saw everyone there I had a tear in my eye - it was fantastic.”
In terms of future plans, Dave is set to run the Tokyo marathon in five weeks’ time, marking the fifth major world marathon that he has tackled.
While in Tokyo, he will get the opportunity to visit the Chance for Children charity in person to see what his money has achieved.
He is also considering running to the rest of the London train stations which aren’t part of TfL - once he has recovered.
Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dave-thomas-2-tflchallenge-japan.
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