Tynemouth Man Running 128 Marathons In 128 Days In Memory Of Brother

A young man from North Tyneside has taken on an extraordinary challenge: running the distance from Newcastle to New York 128 marathons in 128 days in memory of his older brother.

Leodhais Macpherson, 24, is covering 3,332 miles by June 2, the day his brother Conor would have celebrated his 28th birthday.

The two were raised in Tynemouth, and Conor’s untimely passing in 2018 left a deep mark on the family.

At just 21 years old, Conor disappeared after entering the sea.

Despite an intensive search involving lifeboats, helicopters, and coastguard teams, he was never found.

Now living in North Shields and working as an environmental coordinator at EDF Energy, Leodhais shared that this journey is about keeping his brother’s memory alive.

“Conor loved New York he went there many times and hoped to build a life there. That's why I chose it as the symbolic destination,” he explained.

The challenge began on January 25, strategically planned so the final marathon aligns with Conor’s birthday.

Each day, Leodhais runs a full marathon, often splitting the effort between mornings and evenings.

Though an experienced runner, the physical toll has been immense. “The first week was manageable, but now it's tough. I was warned week two would be the hardest,” he admitted.

The effort is not just a tribute it’s also raising funds for two meaningful causes: the RNLI, which helped search for Conor, and If U Care Share, a suicide prevention charity that supported the Macpherson family.

Initially, his family was worried about the toll it might take on his body.

“My mum called me Forrest Gump,” he joked. “But now she’s cheering me on. My dad, being a runner himself, understands how big this is.”

Community support has been overwhelming.

Leodhais has already raised over £7,000 toward his £10,000 goal, and he’s not running alone.

Locals often join him along the North Tyneside coast, and nearby businesses have pitched in with massages and other help to keep him going.

“I didn’t expect this level of support.

Strangers wish me luck on the street, and people I’ve never met are joining the runs. It’s amazing,” he said.

Tynemouth RNLI has expressed admiration for his efforts.

James Waters, a crew member involved in the original 2018 search for Conor, shared, “It was a heartbreaking night, but what Leodhais is doing now is beyond inspiring.”

If U Care Share echoed the sentiment, calling his challenge “superhuman,” and praising his strength and commitment to raising life-saving awareness and funds.