A single dad from Stockport who has completed a string of races with his two-year-old daughter has completed his last race with her strapped to his back.
Chris Greenbank, 36, a stonemason, has wowed crowds at the races by completing them with his little girl strapped to a hiking carrier on his back and says the experience has been wonderfully bonding for him and his daughter.
Chris, who has suffered from bouts of anxiety in the past, is friends with Mark Sproston, the founder of Manchester based mental health support group Project 23, who help people with anxiety and mental health problems. Mark set up the group after suffering a personal tragedy and wanting to help others. As a result Chris raises funds through the races and donates the money to the initiative.
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His latest, Runnorthwests festive 10k in Wilmslow, was Chris's fourth race - and he says, possibly their last, as the tot may be too heavy in Spring. Chris wore a Christmas jumper and his daughter, who he does not want naming, wore a Christmas hat, while some runners wore full Christmas costumes - including the Christmas Grinch.
Chris says of his little girl: "She loved it and was chatting to everyone. Everybody was dressed up for Christmas and we are well in the Christmas mood now. We were trying to chase the Grinch for the rest of the race." He added: "We have four medals now and we have run 51km in total."
Before the race, on Saturday November 27, Chris said he had been pondering on the November weather and conditions for his daughter. He said: "I've been thinking about this a lot, getting parent guilt, but then thinking, provided she's wrapped up, how is it any worse than when kids are taken out to play in the snow, temperature wise? I wanted to get us both a festive, Christmas medal before it gets too cold.
In October Chris took just under three hours to complete the Manchester Half Marathon with his daughter on his back. The dad says his little girl rested her hand on his shoulder and kept it there for the whole duration of the run, which took place in Trafford. He said: "Our bond isn't something you can even put into words. My heart is full."
Chris, who says exercise is an important part of positive mental health, believes there should be no reason why people can't exercise because they have kids. He said: "I don't like sacrificing my time with her to do the things I enjoy, so I take her with me running along the canal."
The pair also ran the Wilmslow 10k in July this year and Chester Zoo 10k in October. Chris says of his tot: "She loves it, they are like mini adventures."
Chris explains of his fundraising: "The funds are to go towards helping people who are struggling mentally, or going through financial hardship. I just want to help to make a huge impact."
Chris is also a member of Unbreakable Mindset Academy, an organisation formed by mindset coaches, who help struggling people to reset their thought process and give them helpful tools and strategies to help navigate life.
You can donate to the fund here.
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