Devon man to run round mainland Britain

Steve Jones will be first man over 60 to do so, if he makes it

A Devon man is to run round the coat of mainland Britain, completing the equivalent of 200 marathons in 200 days, while researchers at the University of Exeter monitor the impact on his body.  

If retired banker Steve James completes the challenge, he will become the first man over 60 to do so. 

He's 65.

Mr James set off from Topsham, Devon, on Wednesday, supported by his wife and their five children.

Going anticlockwise around the coast, he will run for around six hours each day, sometimes supported by his wife in a camper van.

Exeter’s sport and health science researchers will be monitoring him throughout this challenge.   

Mr James who lives and trains daily on Dartmoor, said: “By the end of this challenge, the scientists will have more insight into how far a 65-year-old person can push their body! Of all the challenges I’ve done, this is the most extreme and the biggest stretch – there’s no guarantee how far I will get – I might collapse after 10 days! It’s going to be a real test of resilience, and of my ability to keep going through pain.” 

The Exeter research team assessed Mr James before he set off, and will monitor him throughout his trip, while he also captures his own measurements on a daily basis for them to analyse. They are taking blood, oxygen and muscle measurements to examine the effect of such an extreme sport on the body. 

Dr Freyja Haigh, sports and health science researcher at the University of Exeter, said: “We’re delighted to work with Steve on this amazing feat, which really challenges the stereotypes of aging and redefines what’s possible later in life. In our research we’re often working with large groups of participants, so we can control conditions and see what patterns emerge. You can’t do that when it comes to the extremes. Monitoring Steve gives us a real insight into how this type of endurance affects the body of an older person – and whether there are both positive and negative effects.” 

The record for running the British coastline is held by Nick Butter, who completed the feat in 128 days at the age of 31.

Head to Facebook or Instagram to follow Mr James on his adventure as Banker on the Run. You can also support him by donating to his Just Giving page raising money for Cancer Research UK.