Martin Yelling has completed Ironmans (including Kona), he’s represented his country, he’s run Comrades, he runs marathons. What’s left to truly test him? 630 miles. 115,000 feet of ascent (like climbing Everest 4 times). 21 days of running. That should do it!
Martin is running the South West Coastal Path, the UK’s longest national trail. He’s running from Minehead in North Somerset back to his home in Poole in Dorset (hence the name of the challenge - Long Run Home) via, Devon, Cornwall and Land’s End. He’s going to be averaging 30 miles a day, and if that doesn’t sound tough enough, factor in some huge hills and very tough terrain. This is a very, very difficult challenge. He sets off on July 11th.
So why is Martin doing it? To quote him: ‘I’ve been fortunate enough to have travelled a bit with my sporting career and that of my much faster wife. We’ve been privileged to have run in some awesome and inspiring places all over the world. Mountains, rivers, forests and vistas to admire for miles. Yet never have I felt more at home than when running along the South West Coast Path. It feels like my spiritual running home. It’s a coastal landscape with an ever changing feel and face. With one breath its beauty is startling. With another its harshness is stark. Its rugged and iconic cliff tops, hard edges, steep steps, windswept beaches and seductive coves. The history, heritage, geology and of the path is dramatic, exciting, and iconic.’
Martin is also raising money for 3 charities that are close to his heart:
Julia’s House in Poole (for which Martin’s wife Liz is a patron),
Macmillan Cancer Support and the
Frenchay Hospital in Bristol (part of the Southmead Hospital Charity). He’s hoping to raise £10,000 so please support him
here if you can.
As well as donating to his charities, you can also support Martin by running with him on a stage of the route (details here). You don’t have to run the whole 30 miles with him. He’d appreciate any support along the way. It’s a very long run home…
www.longrunhome.co.uk
