Latest news with #UniversityOfExeter
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Retired banker hits halfway mark in bid to run 200 marathons around coast
A retired banker who is striving to become the first man over the age of 60 to run the entire coastline of mainland Britain completed his 100th consecutive day of running. Steve James, 65, has reached the halfway point of his goal to run 200 marathons in 200 days, while researchers at the University of Exeter monitor the impact on his body. Mr James set off from Topsham, Devon on April 16 and will end his feat there after running anticlockwise around the coast for seven months. He currently runs for around six hours each day, occasionally staying with his wife in their camper van, or in various accommodation. 'Reaching the halfway stage is a milestone I could only have dreamed of when I set off 100 days ago,' he said as he marked the milestone by running from Oban to Craobh Haven . 'There have been points where I didn't know if I'd make it, but I've proved to myself I'm capable of pushing beyond my limits, both physical and mental. 'It's overwhelming looking back on what I've achieved. 'I feel so proud of myself and hope I can inspire others over 60, that you are never too old to attempt the impossible no matter how ridiculous it seems.' Mr James, a father of five, has already faced his share of hardships on his journey, running through harsh weather conditions, closed footpaths, severely blistered feet, and a gout flare-up resulting in a trip to hospital. The Exeter research team assessed him before his departure and continue to monitor him throughout this challenge. They are studying his calorie intake, blood, oxygen and muscle measurements to examine the effect of such an extreme sport on the body. 'By the end of this challenge, the scientists will have more insight into how far a 65-year-old person can push their body,' Mr James, who lives and trains on Dartmoor, said. 'Of all the challenges I've done, this is the most extreme and the biggest stretch.' At this stage the team has seen no adverse effects of this high-endurance challenge in the blood samples which are being used to measure hormone fluctuations, inflammation and overall health. Mr James has lost weight although this was a likely result the researchers anticipated because of his extreme calorie output. Dr Freyja Haigh, nutritional physiology researcher at the University of Exeter, said: 'Having reached this point would be an incredible achievement for anyone, but doing it in your 60s is a whole different ballgame. 'What Steve is doing really challenges the stereotypes of ageing and redefines what's possible later in life. 'It's also fascinating in terms of the science; Steve gives us a real insight into how this type of endurance affects the body of an older person. 'It's been such a privilege to work with him so far and I can't wait to see how he gets on in this next stage. 'We're currently tracking Steve's energy intake and expenditure in order to assess any changes in body mass, which is to be expected with this very physical challenge. 'We're unsure at the moment if Steve's weight loss is from fat or muscle mass. I'm hoping to visit him in the near future to take muscle thickness measurements at multiple points on the body to compare with those we took before he left.' Throughout his life, Mr James has loved physical challenges, from taking part in Ten Tors hiking challenge while at school, to cycling around the world in 220 days in 2019. The record for running the British coastline is held by Nick Butter, who completed the feat in 128 days at the age of 31. But Mr James is the first person over 60 to attempt the feat.
The Independent
24-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Retired banker hits halfway mark in bid to run 200 marathons around coast
A retired banker who is striving to become the first man over the age of 60 to run the entire coastline of mainland Britain completed his 100th consecutive day of running. Steve James, 65, has reached the halfway point of his goal to run 200 marathons in 200 days, while researchers at the University of Exeter monitor the impact on his body. Mr James set off from Topsham, Devon on April 16 and will end his feat there after running anticlockwise around the coast for seven months. He currently runs for around six hours each day, occasionally staying with his wife in their camper van, or in various accommodation. 'Reaching the halfway stage is a milestone I could only have dreamed of when I set off 100 days ago,' he said as he marked the milestone by running from Oban to Craobh Haven . 'There have been points where I didn't know if I'd make it, but I've proved to myself I'm capable of pushing beyond my limits, both physical and mental. 'It's overwhelming looking back on what I've achieved. 'I feel so proud of myself and hope I can inspire others over 60, that you are never too old to attempt the impossible no matter how ridiculous it seems.' Mr James, a father of five, has already faced his share of hardships on his journey, running through harsh weather conditions, closed footpaths, severely blistered feet, and a gout flare-up resulting in a trip to hospital. The Exeter research team assessed him before his departure and continue to monitor him throughout this challenge. They are studying his calorie intake, blood, oxygen and muscle measurements to examine the effect of such an extreme sport on the body. 'By the end of this challenge, the scientists will have more insight into how far a 65-year-old person can push their body,' Mr James, who lives and trains on Dartmoor, said. 'Of all the challenges I've done, this is the most extreme and the biggest stretch.' At this stage the team has seen no adverse effects of this high-endurance challenge in the blood samples which are being used to measure hormone fluctuations, inflammation and overall health. Mr James has lost weight although this was a likely result the researchers anticipated because of his extreme calorie output. Dr Freyja Haigh, nutritional physiology researcher at the University of Exeter, said: 'Having reached this point would be an incredible achievement for anyone, but doing it in your 60s is a whole different ballgame. 'What Steve is doing really challenges the stereotypes of ageing and redefines what's possible later in life. 'It's also fascinating in terms of the science; Steve gives us a real insight into how this type of endurance affects the body of an older person. 'It's been such a privilege to work with him so far and I can't wait to see how he gets on in this next stage. 'We're currently tracking Steve's energy intake and expenditure in order to assess any changes in body mass, which is to be expected with this very physical challenge. 'We're unsure at the moment if Steve's weight loss is from fat or muscle mass. I'm hoping to visit him in the near future to take muscle thickness measurements at multiple points on the body to compare with those we took before he left.' Throughout his life, Mr James has loved physical challenges, from taking part in Ten Tors hiking challenge while at school, to cycling around the world in 220 days in 2019. The record for running the British coastline is held by Nick Butter, who completed the feat in 128 days at the age of 31. But Mr James is the first person over 60 to attempt the feat.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Honorary degree for Post Office scandal campaigner Sir Alan Bates
Post Office scandal campaigner Sir Alan Bates will be awarded an honorary degree by the University of Alan spent more than two decades working to expose faulty Post Office accounting software which created shortfalls in sub postmaster accounts. The former Exeter resident was to join philanthropists, politicians, entrepreneurs and artificial intelligence pioneers being given honorary degrees this week, the university Alan said the recognition was an honour and thanked the university for its work investigating the impact of the Post Office Horizon scandal. "I feel very honoured to accept this honorary degree from Exeter," said Sir Alan. "Whilst it is many years since I have lived and worked in Exeter, I am well aware of the important work the University of Exeter Law School has undertaken to investigate the impact on the mental health of victims and the families of sub postmasters involved with the Post Office Horizon scandal." Other honorary degree recipients Former Green Party leader and co-leader Caroline LucasFormer Exeter MP and health minister Sir Ben BradshawFormer Conservative Party chair Baroness WarsiFormer Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Sajid JavidChief executive of the Met Office Professor Penny EndersbyBBC News analysis editor Ros AtkinsFounder of DeepLearning AI Andrew NgSecretary General of Medecins Sans Frontieres Christopher LockyearArts and culture coach and consultant Pippa WarinWriter Cheryl MorganEntrepreneur and philanthropist Erika Brodnock MBEPhilanthropist and former chair of Exeter's University Council Sarah TurvillChief executive of Advocates for International Development Yasmin Batliwala MBE A total of 6,348 students from 118 different countries are expected to graduate from nearly 170 courses at the university over the next two weeks. University president Professor Lisa Roberts said: "It is always so special to celebrate the amazing achievements of our graduating students with their loved ones, and wish them well as they embark on the next stage of their lives."We are also looking forward to celebrating the impact and achievements of our honorary graduates, who have made such an important contribution to society. Their work is truly inspiring, and we look forward to celebrating with them."
Asharq Al-Awsat
09-07-2025
- Science
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Heritage Commission, University of Exeter Launch Archaeological Survey Along Ancient Hajj Route
Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission has signed a scientific cooperation agreement with Britain's University of Exeter, aiming to implement archaeological survey and excavation work on archaeological sites located on the historic Hajj route between Makkah and Madinah. The Heritage Commission aims to expand its base of scientific partnerships with international universities and research centers specializing in the fields of heritage and to promote field studies that contribute to documenting and protecting these historically significant sites. The Heritage Commission said it continues its efforts with the support and attention of the wise leadership, within the framework of national efforts to benefit from heritage assets and achieve cultural, economic, and social returns, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Buckland Abbey monk music to be played after almost 500-year gap
Rare music is set to be played at a Devon abbey for the first time in almost 500 years after it was found in a medieval book.A "plaintive" music performance by the University of Exeter's chapel choir has been scheduled in August at the National Trust's Buckland Abbey in performance has been set up to celebrate the return of a book to the abbey for the first time since music was discovered by University of Exeter historian Prof James Clark inside the 15th Century book, which is being loaned to the abbey by the British Library. 'Very exciting' The National Trust has worked with experts at the University of Exeter to prepare the music from the book, which was sold to the British Library in Trust music historian Daisy Gibbs said: "Whoever compiled this collection seems to have been unusually creative, pulling together words and music from many different sources."Prof Clark said it was "very exciting" to recover the music. He added: "Before the Tudor Reformation, in every part of England and Wales there were places like this dedicated to creative music-making and performance."Through this research we can now learn much more about this tradition and what it meant not only for the musicians but also for the surrounding communities that shared in their art." Known as a "customary", the richly decorated Buckland Book contained the instructions the monks needed to carry out their daily religious rituals and also contained a rare collection of medieval music copied and added to the book in the early Tudor music is in a style called "plainchant", with single lines of music for monks or priests to sing all than following the rigid liturgical structure of the time, with particular pieces sung at different times of the day, the monks curated a unique sequence of chants drawn from various music may have been used to help the Cistercian monks through a crisis, such as during a sickness of this type of music was lost or destroyed during the Reformation, which saw every priory and abbey in England closed by Henry VIII.
