‘I will run 5,000 miles’ - Simon reaches Sidmouth on epic run

A charity runner, who is running the coastline of Britain, has broken the half-way point of his challenge,

Simon Clark has completed 3,200 of his 5,000-mile run after reaching Sidmouth on Monday, nine months after setting off from his home in Findhorn, Scotland.

The 57-year-old set off on Easter Sunday on a year-long journey, to raise money for Ecologia Youth Trust, a charity that works with disadvantaged children.

He was inspired by a book written by adventurer Rosie Swale Pope who, at the age of 57, ran around the world.

Simon said: “For years, maybe decades, I have had an idea that I would like to go round the coast of Britain because I do not really know where I live.”

In nine months, the runner has gone through five pairs of shoes and two rucksacks as he makes his away anti-clockwise around the country. Carrying 11kg of equipment on his back, including his work laptop, the architect has relied on the goodwill of friends and strangers to put him up or slept in his sleeping bag.

“The first 1,000 miles, where everything was always on my back, I kept leaning forward and my shins were in agony. I did get to a point where I thought about giving up,” said Simon.

Since leaving home, Simon has collected £1,000 along the way to take his total to more than £9,000.

He hopes to raise £20,000 for the Findhorn-based charity, which has been running for 20 years.

Simon said: “Giving and grinding out an effort to benefit youngsters who have less fortuitous circumstances than mine seems the least I can do. The thought of carrying and needing very little, while asking others to give a lot to improve the lives of children, seems the best of affairs.”

To donate, visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?charityCampaignUrl=justaLittleRun