I’m a Guinness World Record holder on a mission to run 1,000 half marathons - including Great Manchester Run

For most people, running a half marathon is a big achievement. For Guinness World Record-holder Helen Ryvar, however, it’s just part of her daily routine. 

The 43-year-old has been running a half marathon every day since May 1 2022, fundraising for different charities and working towards her ultimate goal of more than 1,000 consecutive half marathons. One of those half marathons will be the upcoming Great Manchester Run, taking place on May 26. 

Now more than 700 days into the streak, the mum-of-three has raised around £5,000 for mental health charity Mind and has just started fundraising for Cancer Research UK as well. But raising money for good causes is just one of the reasons Helen has set herself such a lofty goal. 

Helen told ManchesterWorld: “When my ex-husband died, it was just before lockdown so I started a running streak then and I got to 111 – that was only ever my goal – and I stopped at 111. 

“My goal is to reach one thousand consecutive, which will take me up to the January 24, 2025. All because, sadly, my ex-husband passed away and I was left as a single parent. My dad passed away as part of the streak and I've had other issues with bereavement and stuff, so it's become like a coping mechanism for me to run every day. I want to encourage other people to get into for their mental health and for their wellbeing.”

Helen says that her three children are her “biggest fans” and has been supported throughout by her family and friends – some of whom she has persuaded to take up running as a result. 

The secret to achieving this record-breaking feat, according to Helen, is all about “training your mind.” She said: “A lot of it is mental. I just tell myself: This is what we do today and then I don't overthink it. I run at 4-6 o'clock in the mornings weekdays because I work and I've got the kids to think about, getting them to school. I don't overthink it.

“So there's never really been a day where I've thought: God, I don't want to do it or I can't do it, it's more a case of prepping the brain and enjoying it, and being grateful that you can run because I've lost so many people, it makes you just so much more grateful for just being here, really.”

The AJ Bell Great Manchester Run half marathon and 10k will be taking place on 26 May, 2024. The half marathon is sold out but there are still 10k places. More information about the races, including how to sign up, can be found on the Great Manchester Run website.