CHALLENGE COMPLETE

I’m taking on the challenge of running around the perimeter of Devon in 40 to 50 km chunks to raise money for Hospiscare. Hospiscare is a fantastic Devon-based charity that supports over 2,000 people yearly with life-limiting illnesses across the county.

The route

The route I’ll be taking is just over 650 km. I’ll be running the South West Coast Path west from Lyme Regis to Plymouth, following the Tamara Coast to Coast Way north to Morwenstow, then east to Porlock Weir (near Minehead), and finally returning south to Lyme Regis via Dulverton and Smeatharpe.

The commitment

While I’d love to do this continuously, work commitments in Wiltshire mean I’m doing this challenge at weekends. For transparency, I’ve already started and already made it from Lyme Regis to Croyde (via Exeter, Plymouth, Bude and Barnstaple). Typically, my Saturday begins at 04:00 and starts with a combination of buses and trains just to get to the starting point. The transport to the start points alone ordinarily takes 2.5 to 3 hours. Occasionally, public transport stops short, adding extra distance to my route (for example, Bude to Morwenstow was an additional 14 km). Once there, I run non-stop until I get to an RV for a pasty, a cup of tea, and a lift home.

Why this challenge?

This challenge started with a simple training run that spiralled out of control; think Forrest Gump! Originally, I was training for the 2025 Marathon des Sables, but I reluctantly had to withdraw due to a medical condition that affected my ability to get event insurance. After some encouragement, I realised that this personal challenge is also worthy of sponsorship, so I decided to go public and ask for donations.

Why Hospiscare?

Selecting a worthy cause was a tough decision. However, I’m sure you will agree that Hospiscare is a fantastic cause. I have seen their tremendous work first-hand and was saddened to hear that Hospiscare was recently forced to reduce its services and bed numbers due to a funding shortfall.

How can you help?

Those of you who know me know I’m not much of a social media user, so I would really appreciate your support in spreading the word by sharing this link.

What’s Next?

Marathon des Sables is still on my radar, and I’m hopeful the stars will align. I’m focused on completing ‘Run the Edge’ as soon as possible and already planning my next adventure. This will likely be a run from Plymouth to Land’s End over five consecutive days. If you have any suggestions for future routes or charities, I’d love to hear them!

Thank you so much for your support. It means a great deal to me and, more importantly, the charities I’m running for!

Sections:

1. Lyme Regis to Sidmouth

2. Sidmouth to Exeter (completed in reverse – public transport connections)

3. Exeter to Torquay (the genesis)

4. Torquay to Dartmouth

5. Dartmouth to Salcombe

6. Salcombe to Mothecombe

7. Mothecombe to Plymouth (completed in reverse – public transport connections)

8. Plymouth to Gunnislake

9. Gunnislake to Tamar Lakes

10. Tamar Lakes to Bude (completed in reverse – public transport connections)

11. Morwenstow to Appledore (completed in reverse – public transport connections)

12. Appledore to Croyde

13. Croyde to Combe Martin

14. Combe Martin to Porlock Weir

15. Makmsmead to Dulverton

16. Dulverton to Smeatharpe

17. Smeatharpe to Lyme Regis