From Not Being Able to Leave His Room to Running 837 Miles: Marcus Skeet on Mental Health, Purpose & Raising £160K for Mind

At just 17 years old, Marcus Skeet, known online as The Hull Boy, became the youngest person ever to run the full length of the UK (LEJOG): 837 miles from Land’s End to John o’ Groats.

But the real story isn’t about the miles - it’s about why he ran them.

After his dad was diagnosed with early-onset dementia, Marcus spiralled into severe OCD, intrusive thoughts, and depression. He couldn’t leave his room for six months. At 14, he attempted to take his life.

Then one day, Marcus went for a walk and it changed everything. That single mile turned into a marathon with The Hardest Geezer, and eventually, into a record-breaking, two-month run across the UK.

In this deeply moving episode, Marcus opens up about:

🏃‍♂️ Running over 1,300 km at 17 years old: averaging 20+ miles a day

🧠 How he overcame OCD, suicidal thoughts, and online bullying

💔 The darkest moments on the road and how he kept going

🎗️ Raising £160,000 for the mental health charity Mind

Marcus’s story isn’t about medals, fame, or finish lines, it’s about finding light when everything feels dark, and using movement to bring purpose to pain.

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