65-year-old reaches Wales after completing 148 marathons along the British coast
A retired banker who is striving to become the first man over the age of 60 to cover the entire coastline of mainland Britain enters Wales as he completes his 148th consecutive marathon.
Reaching the Welsh boarder marks the final quarter in his goal of 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 on 1 November, after seven continuous months on the move. Steve currently spends around six hours each day on this challenge, occasionally staying with his partner, Becky, in their camper van, or in a variety of accommodation.
Steve, who lives and trained on Dartmoor, supported by his family, said: “I’ve been looking forward to the Welsh leg more than any other. My family are Welsh through and through with my father’s side being Welsh speakers from Pembrokeshire where we still have a property. The Welsh Coast Path is one of our great long-distance trails and I’m excited to be doing the whole 870 miles and to be climbing Yr Wyddfa with my eldest daughter who’ll be joining me for that ascent.
“I’m proud of what I have achieved, to be the first person of my age to attempt this challenge, is a great feeling. I’ve made it all the way from Exeter, anticlockwise via Scotland, along the coast to the Welsh border. It has been gruelling both mentally and physically, but I’ve overcome it all and I am that much stronger because of it.”
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”
Freyja said: “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.
