My Brutal Challenge

When my best friend’s mum, Susan Northcott, died, I wanted to do something to celebrate this amazing woman’s life and the impact she had on me. Little did I know then, but this would involve me running from the length of the country with all my belongings in a pushchair!

Once I had decided to take on this epic challenge, I set about making plans. How would I carry my kit? What route would I follow and how I could navigate? My biggest question was where I would sleep? I had decided to do this without any crew as I wanted it to be a real adventure and a life-changing journey. I knew Susan would have Growing up, Susan was a strong approved of that idea too.role model for me. She was feisty, funny, and I loved her. A few years back, Susan had bought me a book Tree of Remembrance called ‘The Clock Keeps Ticking” by Sharon Gayter. This was about her incredible, record-breaking run from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in a staggering 12 days and 16 hours! Whilst I could never aspire to running the UK in that time, I started to wonder if I could have my own, unique adventure and dedicate it to Susan’s memory. After many weeks of list-making, testing kit, packing and re-packing, I was finally ready. I had decided to start in Scotland, as I liked the idea of travelling down the country. Also, as I live in Christchurch, Dorset, it would feel like coming home. So, at 5am on Sunday, August 16th, in a cold and deserted car park at John o’ Groats, I started my epic run.

Over the days and weeks that followed, I experienced what it was like to sleep in fields with noisy sheep and next to busy roads. I leant how to set up and take down my camp super quickly. I survived Storm Francis and days of rain and high winds. I pushed the buggy up hill after hill, and I was painfully dragged down the other side. I ate too many pork pies, pastries and Pot Noodles. I fixed never-ending punctures on the buggy and blisters on my feet. I took hundreds of photos and met so many amazing people. And I laughed and cried in equal measure.

Finally, on September 8th and after covering 893 miles in 23 days and 8 hours, I finished. I lost over a stone in weight and most of my toenails, but it was one of the best things I have ever experienced. I also raised over £6,000 for the Forest Holme Hospice, who looked after Susan so well.