'He did it!' Runner completes incredible 220-mile trek

Mark Laws set off on his challenge from Carrow Road on April 10 and took on marathon-like distances each day for a week to reach Manchester ahead of the Canaries' clash with the Red Devils on Saturday.

Jamie Robinson's family ahead of Mark Laws' 201-mile run to Old Trafford in his memory. L-R Jamie's stepson Finnley Docherty, Norwich City manager Dean Smith, son Archie Robinson (front), father-in-law Tony Laws, wife Victoria, brother-in-law Mark Laws, and mother-in-law Jane Laws and (Image: Matthew Usher)

The feat was inspired by Jamie Robinson, who sadly passed away on February 7 2021 aged 31.

"I feel I got off lightly," Mark joked, who admittedly did no training for the gruelling trek.

"My ankles are sore from the first two days, where I did about 30 of the 65 miles off-road - on mud and very soft, uneven ground.

Canaries fan Mark Laws ran for seven days to get from Carrow Road to Old Trafford ahead of the Norwich City vs Manchester United game on April 16 (Image: Paul Chesterton)

"There were points where we were crawling through dykes and bramble bushes - it was a nightmare."

He added that due to navigation issues, he wracked up an extra 15 to 20 miles on to his already eye-watering mileage.

Mark was greeted at Old Trafford - more than 200 miles and seven days after leaving Carrow Road - by his family and supporters (Image: Paul Chesterton)

Mark's efforts have raised more than £6,500, which he will split between six organisations and charities, the NHS, Widowed and Young, Winston's Wish and Miles4Meals, as well as the Norwich City and Manchester United Community Foundations.

Mark Laws with his family after running, walking and hobbling the best part of 220 miles from Norwich City's Carrow Road to Old Trafford in Manches (Image: Paul Chesterton)

He added: "It was a very surreal experience. I'm sure it will start to sink in that it actually happened in a few days time.

"The highlight was definitely the amount of support and generosity that I got. The world of social media can be a venomous place at times but everything I received was positive.

Mark Laws setting off for his 201-mile run from Carrow Road to Old Trafford, cheered on by his family (Image: Paul Chesterton)

"The amount of people that came and ran with me - little things like that made my experience nothing but positive."

The 40-year-old personal trainer and development coach, who now lives in Wisbech, was pitch side ahead of kick-off drumming up support from both home and away fans.

Mark was able to share his story on the pitch at Old Trafford after completing his challenge (Image: Paul Chesterton)

He added: "It was very surreal. The whole stadium erupted into a round of applause. It makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up when you're stood in the middle of all that."

To donate to those supported by Mark's challenge, visit linktr.ee/marklaws2011.