UK coastal circuit’s latest challenge for runner Nick
AMAN has just begun a challenge to run a lap of the entire British coast on foot in 100 days – by completing 100 double marathons back to back.
Endurance runner Nick Butter, 31, started his 200-marathon challenge on Saturday.
His route will see him tour the entire British coast on foot – a whopping 5,240 miles in total – as he runs for up to 14 hours every day.
If all goes to plan, he will end up where he began, at the Eden Project in Cornwall, on July 26.
Nick, from Cranborne, Dorset, became the first person to complete a marathon in every country in 2019.
This time he’s raising money for The 196 Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which supports community projects.
Speaking after day one of the run, he said: “It was a short four miles or so until I reached the sea – something I had most been looking forward to was seeing it for the first time once the challenge had started. Two hours into the run I also had my first logistical hurdle, which involved a short crossing on the Bodinnick ferry.
“This will be the first of quite a few short ferries as I navigate my way around Britain as close to the coast as possible, and getting the timings right for some of these crossing to co-align with my arrival and the ferries departures are just a few of the many challenges we’ve had to factor into all our planning.
“Of course as with everything, the unplanned moments can also be wonderful, and a bonus of running is that I have time to take in all my surroundings.
“This resulted in me spotting 40 horses, 20 cows, 35 deer, one snake and loads of dogs!
“And my one big lesson from Day One? Do not eat two fish pies during a double marathon because it makes you feel horrible.
“Being accompanied by the incredible views along the coastal path today has been incredible, and given me a chance to really reflect on why I’m doing this all in the first place.”
He added: “Here’s to carrying on and putting one foot in front of the other.”
Nick will be accompanied on his impressive journey in vans by his media crew, some friends, and girlfriend Nikki Tombs, 28 who will also bring their puppy, Poppy.
He spent last night and will spend the next 99 nights living out of a camper van – where he will cook and eat, wash, take rest breaks and bed down each night.
His days of running begin at 6am every morning.
His 196-marathon challenge, which ended in 2019, saw him catch 400 flights and battle temperatures as low as – 25C and as high as 50C.