2 days ago
Brighton man, 19, to run perimeter of Britain with 15kg bag
A man is hoping to run the perimeter of Britain – completing about a marathon a day for 180 Matthews, from Brighton, East Sussex, plans to complete a route of more than 3,000 miles (4,828km) around the mainland of England, Scotland and Wales, starting in 18-year-old is to take on the challenge entirely solo, carrying only essentials and camping equipment."I'll be entirely on my own – just me and a 15kg hiking bag," he said.
Mr Matthews is raising funds for Family Action – a charity which he said resonated with him after a difficult upbringing."I learnt first hand how a bad childhood can affect the rest of your life," he said."I want to do something that could almost break me, but at least there is meaning to it."
Despite aiming to run 25 miles (40.2km) a day, Mr Matthews, nicknamed The Milky Runner on social media due to his complexion, said running had "never been my specialty"."In fact, I always hated running. But it was something that I could pick up and do without having to learn more skills," he said."I believe it is more about willpower to get through it."He estimated it would take six to seven hours to run each marathon, with rest days only taken when challenge, which begins in Brighton on 1 September, is self-funded, with Mr Matthews hoping to fund the challenge through a GoFundMe page.
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