A Manchester entrepreneur has been reflecting on her remarkable achievement of running 100 marathons in 100 days across South East Asia.
41-year-old Hannah Cox is the founder Better Business Network and the Better Business Summit.
Although not a professional athlete she embarked on a 4,200km run across India by following a forgotten colonial boundary called the Inland Customs Line in India.
Her journey – known as Project Salt Run – was inspired by her late father, Deric Cox, who was born in Calcutta (now Kolkata) before moving to the UK in 1953.
Fittingly, she reached her destination by arriving in her father’s childhood home in Kolkata, on the India Bangladesh border.
Cox’s incredible exploits have raised more than £85,00 for her chosen four charities – 1% for the Planet, Frank Water, ClientEarth, and Big Change.
Reflecting on her achievements, she said: “It’s taken me a little while to find the words for this. I used to joke that my brain worked differently.
“In reality, it’s because I’ve been uncomfortable with myself.
“Project Salt Run has changed that and my life in ways I’m still processing.
“This isn’t just a list of stats. It’s evidence of what becomes possible when thousands of people show up.
“It was never just a run. It started with a simple belief: people power still matter and business can make the world a better place.
“We don’t need to be perfect. We don’t need to be rich, young, famous or fearless. We don’t need everyone to like us. We just need to start.
“I don’t have children of my own, but I wanted to be able to look my nieces and nephews in the eye and say I tried to do something with what I had.
100 marathons in 100 days: Hannah Cox
“In difficult times, when so many people feel powerless, this project was about starting anyway.
“Some people donated money. Others gave time, food, messages, meals and beds. Many passed the story on when they couldn’t give anything else.
“All of it mattered. Because of that collective effort:
- 100 marathon distances in 100 days (4,224km)
- 75 marathons, 23 ultras, 3 pairs of trainers
- 308 Individuals & 39 businesses helped cover project costs via Crowdfunder
- 1,033 individuals and 67 businesses raised £85,746 (with Gift Aid). 100% goes directly to the charities, with donations continuing to come in
- 3 million views on Instagram
“Injuries, illness, heat, setbacks and hard days but also kindness, generosity and community at every step.
“We are not as helpless as we’re often led to believe. That gives me real hope for our future.”