A business owner has set himself the challenging task of running 55 half marathons in as many days to raise vital funds for his local hospice. 

Father-of-two Arran Jaiswal, originally from Chesterfield but now living in Nottingham, started the extreme feat on 20 February. 

As part of the 43-year-old recruitment director’s challenge, he is fundraising for Ashgate Hospice, which provides palliative and end of life care to patients in North Derbyshire, where he grew up. 

Jaiswal has committed to pushing his physical limits, running 13.1 miles (21km) a day until 15 April. 

Although the first week of the challenge was tough, he said his body has slowly started to adapt to running such long distances so regularly. 

Jaiswal said: “I’m running 55 half marathons in 55 days to raise money for Ashgate Hospice. It’s a huge challenge, but I’m determined to keep going for such a good cause. 

“The first week was definitely the hardest. My body wasn’t used to the daily strain, but after that, I started to adapt to the challenge. 

“Now I’m starting to feel much better. I think my legs are getting used to it, and I’ve started to find my rhythm. It’s still tough, but I’m getting through it.” 

Jaiswal, who owns a recruitment business based in Nottingham, has managed to fit his runs around other commitments, often running in the mornings before starting his working day. 

He said the time difference with the USA, where his clients are based, has been helpful, allowing him to juggle his job, the school run, and the half marathon challenge. 

Jaiswal, who took up the sport during the pandemic after gyms closed, previously ran 36 miles in as many hours and completed seven consecutive half marathons. But he said nothing could have prepared him for the intensity of his most recent challenge. 

“I got into running during the Covid lockdown when the gyms closed,” he added. “I was looking for a way to stay fit, and running turned out to be something I enjoyed. 

“Before this, I’ve completed a 36-mile run over 36 hours, and I’ve done seven consecutive half marathons, but nothing like this. 

“Running every day for over two months is on a whole new level. This challenge is definitely the most extreme thing I’ve ever done.” 

The hospice relies on fundraisers like Jaiswal to help raise the £11 million it needs each year to continue caring for patients at its Inpatient Unit in Chesterfield and across the North Derbyshire community. 

“I’m from Chesterfield, and my family still lives there,” Jaiswal added. “Ashgate Hospice has been doing incredible work in the community for years, and I wanted to do something big to support them. 

“They’ve helped countless local families, and I want to give back in a meaningful way.” 

To fuel his daily runs, Jaiswal swears by his trusty snack – peanut butter. As for how much he hopes to raise, he said, “As much as possible. Every penny will make a difference.” 

Would you be interested in running for Ashgate Hospice? Find out more on how you can take part in a 10K, half marathon, or even an endurance challenge. 

For more information or to support Arran’s challenge, visit his JustGiving page.