65-year-old reaches Scotland after running 50 marathons along the 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 has reached Scotland as he completes his 50th consecutive day of running.
Reaching the boarder marks the quarter-point of his goal to run 200 marathons in 200 days, while researchers at the University of Exeter monitor the impact on his body.
Steve James, 65, set off from Topsham, Devon, on Wednesday 16 April, and will end his feat there after running anticlockwise around the coast for seven months. Steve currently runs for around six hours each day, occasionally staying with his wife in their camper van, or in a variety of accommodation.
Steve, who lives and trained on Dartmoor, supported by his wife and their five children, said: “I’m so proud to have made it to over 50 days. I’ve made it all the way from Exeter along the coast to the Scottish boarder, a total of 1,380 miles. There have been a few bumps along the way, but I’ve overcome them all and am that much stronger because of it and ready to take on the next stage. I’m really looking forward to the many facets of the Scottish coastline and meeting the people of this beautiful country.”
Steve has already faced his share of hardships on his journey, running through harsh weather conditions, closed footpaths, severely blistered feet, and a gout flareup resulting in a trip to A&E.
The Exeter research team assessed Steve before his departure, and continue to monitor him throughout this challenge, while Steve captures his own measurements daily for them to analyse. They are studying his calorie intake, blood, oxygen and muscle measurements to examine the effect of such an extreme sport on the body.
Steve 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.”
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. Steve has lost weight although this was a likely result the researchers anticipated due to his extreme calorie output.
Dr Freyja Haigh, nutritional physiology researcher at the University of Exeter, said: “We’re currently tracking Steves 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”
“Having reached this point would be incredible achievement for anyone, but doing it in your 60s is a whole different ballgame. What Steve is doing really challenges the stereotypes of aging 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.”
Throughout his life, Steve has loved physical challenges, building from taking part in Ten Tors 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 Steve is the first person over 60 to take on the feat.
To prepare, Steve ran daily with a tight control on his diet. “It's just taking each day at a time and what it throws at you and then piece it all together at the end. I’m just running one marathon today then I'll think about tomorrow. You've got to break it down, if you think about the whole, thing you’ll go mad.”
“I've been overwhelmed by the University’s support. It’s been incredible and gives a sense of purpose to the whole endeavour, I really appreciate that.”
Head to Facebook or Instagram to follow the rest of Steve’s journey on his adventure as Banker on the Run. You can also support his exploits by donating to his Just Giving page raising money for Cancer Research UK.
