Sometimes the most powerful leadership doesn’t happen in boardrooms — it happens out on the streets, one step at a time.
This weekend, Marius Coste, Area Manager for Elior UK, ran through the streets of Glasgow dressed as a leprechaun to mark Saint Patrick’s Day.
But this wasn’t about luck.
It was about hope.
The run formed part of Miles of Smiles, an 82-week endurance challenge that began in June 2025 and continues until December 2026. Every week, Marius commits to 50 km of running, walking, or cycling, paired with cold-water discipline — a personal challenge that has grown into a movement for awareness, resilience, and community connection.
The mission supports two vital Scottish charities:
- Scottish Association for Mental Health
- Clan Cancer Support
Both organisations support thousands of people facing life’s most difficult challenges — from mental health struggles to cancer diagnoses.
Miles of Smiles — Week 40 Impact
The numbers behind the challenge are remarkable:
- 2,540 km completed through running, walking and cycling
- £2,982 raised for mental health and cancer support
- 198 cold showers and 44 cold dips as part of the discipline challenge
- Millions of steps and countless smiles across communities
But the true impact goes far beyond statistics.
Dressed as everything from superheroes and unicorns to Minions and leprechauns, Marius uses humour and creativity to spark conversations about mental health, grief, resilience, and hope.
Sometimes, something as simple as seeing a costumed runner pass by can brighten someone’s day — and remind them they’re not alone.
A Message for the Business Community
In a world where pressures on mental health and wellbeing are rising, the Miles of Smiles journey carries a simple but powerful message for communities and workplaces alike:
Hope grows when people come together.
Whether through charity initiatives, supporting colleagues, or simply spreading kindness, businesses have a vital role to play in building stronger, healthier communities.
As legends say, leprechauns chase a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
But the real treasure is something far more valuable:
Hope. Courage. Community.