The running man: The Hawke's Bay man who ran every day of 2020

There was no locking down Hastings man Jason Stuckey in 2020, as he pushed through injuries to go for a run every single day of the year.

Stuckey, who completed multiple marathons and ran almost double the length of State Highway 1 in 365 days, was inspired to take up the challenge after seeing fellow runners sharing their daily challenge on running app Strava.

"I thought, man, that's a really big challenge. I mean who the heck wants to run every day for a whole year?

Jason Stuckey, of Havelock North, completed his self-set challenge of running every single day of 2020. Photo / Warren Buckland

"I started in 2019 and got through two weeks and thought 'that's enough I'm not doing it again' but then last year I thought I'll just do it, just cause I can," the 47-year-old water filtration business owner and part-time teacher said.

It ended up being "the perfect year to do it" as lockdown meant more time at home, running events were cancelled and it was necessary to exercise in your own neighbourhood.

During lockdown and throughout the whole year the challenge provided him with a daily sense of achievement, benefitting his physical and mental health.

"Every day I would get out there and go for a run and I'd feel like I'd achieved that thing for the day, even if the day was hard or work was hard or you're feeling a bit average that day.

"You're also getting outside of your space for a while you're sort of getting your head right, it was awesome for that."

Living in an orchard house during lockdown, he would run up and down the rows of trees.

But it was "a big challenge". Stuckey suffered calf muscle and hamstring injuries early in the year, but pushed through them by running slower, shorter distances for a while.

Jason Stuckey's daily runs ranged from 160 metres to full marathons. Photo / Warren Buckland

The injuries went away as the country went into lockdown and he hadn't had any injuries since, even in November when he ran multiple marathons and other running events.

"I think just constant running gets you through these injuries, and I've just felt really strong."

On the "many" days when he didn't feel like doing the daily run, sometimes leaving it until 10.30pm or 11pm, his international virtual running group and followers eager for updates on Strava kept him motivated.

Challenges the running team set, and running events and marathons, also helped him get through the challenge, serving as something to work toward.

In 2020 in total, he spent 172 hours and 42 minutes running, the equivalent of a full week.

In total he ran 1927.9km with just over 12,000 metres elevation, averaging around 40km a week.

He took part in the Rotorua Marathon, Auckland Marathon, Cape Kidnappers Trail Run and Peak Trail Blazer.

The longest run he did was a marathon of 42.4km he took on himself in level 2, when he could travel to Palmerston North, running around the hills there.

"Others around the world they weren't able to do this, a lot of my friends were unable to run at all even during lockdown because they were stuck in homes or quarantine."

Stuckey's athletic ability runs in the family. But his interest in running started in school. Inspired by athletes such as Arthur Lydiard, Rod Dixon and John Walker as a child, he joined a road-running team in secondary school.

He completed his first marathon in 2002, which set him off on his "running adventure".

In 2009 he established a half-marathon with other ex-pat workers and local Chinese in Suzhou, China where he and his family lived and worked, as a way to bring people together.

It took two years to organise, and without any advertising attracted about 4500 participants in its first year. It now attracted about 40,000, he said.

He recommends the daily challenge to anyone wanting to take it on, saying taking part in events and running groups is his best piece of advice.

The new year brings a new challenge - every week he will be running a fast 5km, aiming to increase his speed from 20 minutes per 5km to 16 minutes per 5km.