Why Running Manchester Marathon Injured Might Be My Biggest Gamble Yet (But Here’s What It Teaches Us All)

What would you do if you were less than two weeks away from your biggest marathon of the year… and your body started failing you? Would you risk it all—your health, your training, a lifetime record—for one more chance at the finish line? That's exactly where I stand today, and here’s why this struggle could just help us save countless children’s lives.

The Countdown Begins: Manchester Marathon, 13 Days to Go

Hi, I’m Kevin, the Runpreneur—currently on my consecutive day 1,779 of running (yes, you read that right!) on my journey to run around the world barefoot, raise £1,000,000 for children’s causes, and inspire people to keep going, no matter the odds. My ultimate goal? Smashing through 4,292 days and 40,075km, so every step counts.

But today’s blog isn’t about easy victories or seamless training plans. It’s about raw, runner reality: injuries, setbacks, and the mental fortitude to push through when your body screams stop. So if you’re an endurance athlete battling niggles, an injured runner unsure whether to make the start line, or simply someone in need of relentless motivation—this one’s for you.

Marathon Training with a Torn Hamstring: Nuts or Necessary?

Just under two months ago, I did something silly on a skiing holiday—a minor tear in my hamstring. Not a career-ending injury, but one of those pesky, persistent setbacks. For eight weeks, I’ve run through pain, adapted my training, and questioned whether I’d even make Manchester.

Good news? This past week, I’ve managed to build my pace close to the magic five-minute-per-kilometre mark. Bad news? The pain is still lurking—but healing. That’s a fine line we all walk as endurance junkies, and it’s a decision I don’t take lightly.

Numbers Don’t Lie: Will I Beat My PB?

Here’s where it gets real and raw. I ran my stats through the Tanda marathon prediction formula. Based on my training, niggling injuries, and recent mileage, I’m staring at a projected finish of 3:35 for Manchester—far from my personal best (PB) of 3:24:48. Ambitions of a sub-3:15 marathon are on pause (for now…), but with the right balance, I could squeak in under 3:30 with some sharper miles this week.

Should I go for it? Would you? I want to hear about YOUR biggest race-day dilemmas—drop them in the comments!

What If It All Falls Apart? Learning From the Edge

Running an endurance event on injury is usually terrible advice—unless, like me, you know your body intimately from running 1,779 consecutive days, plus ultras and marathons within this streak. It’s not bravado; it’s experience, bolstered by support from my sports masseuse and podiatrist. I won’t risk years of work for one race unless I’m certain.

I’ve got a big 14-mile test run this Saturday during a memorial event for a lost friend. This will be my definitive check—if my hamstring holds, I’m at that Manchester start line. If not, I’ll listen to what my body’s telling me…. And that’s my advice to you: always, always listen to your body. No race is worth lifetime damage.

It’s Bigger Than One Race—Join the Mission

Here’s the real kicker. Every day I run, vlog, and share this journey, it’s for the Runpreneur Mission: to raise £1,000,000 for children’s charities by running a full lap of the world barefoot. The more support, subscribers, shares, and comments I get, the more children’s lives we save—together.

So: Are you with me? Will you join, donate, or simply share this mission to help us reach one million pounds?

Smash that share button, comment with your own struggles or training wins, and subscribe to help us race past our target!

Every step, every mile, every storey—it all matters. Stay positive, stay happy, and never, never give up.

— Kevin (Runpreneur)

#RunpreneurChallenge #ManchesterMarathon #RunningInjury #MarathonTraining #Fundraising #SaveChildren #UltraRunning #BarefootChallenge #RunningStreak #Motivation