COASTING IT! Sarah smashes record in run around Wales
ATRIP around Wales sounds like the ideal opportunity to take in some stunning views, visit renowned landmarks, and tuck int into delicious food. But Sarah Thomson didn’t enjoy the jou journey from the comfort of a car, bus or tra train.
Instead she ran the entire 870-mile Wales Coast Path – and smashed the previou ous record for the challenge by completing it ini just 23 days.
The intrepid 23-year-old had aimed to co complete the epic adventure in 30 days – wh which would have comfortably beaten the pr previous best of 40 days – but she manag aged to beat her target by a week.
The trek from Chester to Chepstow c covers 870 miles, with around 95,781ft of el elevation. That’s the equivalent of running 33 back-to-back marathons and getting to th the top of Mount Kilimanjaro 60 times.
Despite the gruelling challenge Sarah de described the test as the happiest time of he her life – thanks in part to the help of comple plete strangers.
She said: “Probably the best bits were the families I stayed with along the way. “We had food together and played Uno. “I was looking tired when I would tell people what I was up to. They saw the charity logo on my backpack and said they would offer to pick me up for the evening.
“People were just so kind along the way – I was even given coffee and cake on my journey. It really makes it all worth it. It restores your faith in humanity.”
Sarah, who is an instructor on CITV’s Bear Grylls Survival School, had camping equipment with her and a tent which she slept in each night – then carried it all on her back during the day.
She also took rations of food, including lots of vegetables, pasta and a chicken korma.
Sarah added: “I’ve done ultramarathons before and when you get to the halfway point I know I’m going to do it.”
But she wasn’t alone during the conquest.
Her mascot, a toy giraffe called Jimmy, joined her every step of the way – and became great company during her low points in the trip. Sarah, from Newquay in Cornwall, said: “There was one point where I ran out of water and I looked on the map and there was no river and it was dark, so I sat down and talked to him.”
The trip wasn’t without pitfalls. Sarah’s legs became numb about a week before she finished. She said: “For the last six days it was a case of putting one foot in front of the other. I couldn’t feel anything from the waist down. My feet were in agony the whole way round. And it wasn’t just the distance – I also had kit on my back.”
She added: “I couldn’t believe it when I finished. When I set out I thought there was not a chance I would finish it so soon.
“It was physically tough but I had the best time.”
Sarah’s challenge raised money for Shelterbox – a charity that helps people rebuild their lives after natural disasters.
So far she has raised more than £3,000 but she hopes to top £4,000.
To support her visit www.justgiving. com/fundraising/Sarah-Thomson92