Yorkshire Coast Trio to Run from Big Ben to Flamborough Lighthouse in 4 Days

A team of three dedicated runners, Joe, Mitchell and Josh, are undertaking what they describe as a “barmy” four-day running challenge from London to the Yorkshire Coast, covering hundreds of miles to raise funds and awareness for the Movember Foundation.

The mammoth journey began at Big Ben, London, and is set to conclude at Flamborough Lighthouse. The challenge, spanning four days, aims to cover a distance stated as 212 miles by Joe and Mitch, although depending on the route the trip could be as much as 240 miles.

Joe and Mitch, who are 5-year ‘Mo Bros’, are driven by a mission that goes deeper than growing a moustache. Their fundraising supports key cause areas including testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. Joe emphasised the crucial purpose of the run: “it's raising awareness that people don't well men don't take their lives too early,” referencing the statistic that six men every hour globally take their own lives.

Going "Bigger" in 2024

This extreme challenge marks the fifth year of their involvement with Movember, and follows previous endurance efforts. Last year, the team completed a 72-mile run in 24 hours, road stomping from Elland Road to Bridlington Spa.

Joe and Mitch explained that the success of previous years provided the motivation to push further:

"After last year's challenge,  we thought we can't stop it there. So, we just thought we're going to have to go a bit further.

So, basically, we are doing a 212 mile run over 4 days from London to Flamborough Lighthouse, obviously on the east coast, all in aid of the Movember Foundation.

The first three days we've got to get around the 100 km mark to leave, is it 60 km 70 km left?

I've been doing it all in miles me, it's miles 60 miles for your first three days and then it leaves about 42 on the last. I"

The final day, Saturday 29th November, is described as the “home stretch” running from south of the Humber Bridge to the Flamborough Lighthouse. The team hopes to land back at the lighthouse in Flamborough between 12 and 2 p.m., depending on their pace.

The guys are hoping to build on the success of their big run last year.

"I think last year it went as well as it could, we went into it thinking even if we raised £100, let alone the 52 grand that we did, it's it still all goes into the same pot into the right place fundamentally.

This year at the moment, we're in a very strong place so far as fundraising goes. I think we're not too far off three grand at the moment as we speak. So, it's not too bad at all. And then hopefully whilst we're on our feet coming back up the country, we'll be able to get some some more raised across the board this year.

We'll document it all on social media each day and that'll be going live on things like Instagram as well as TikTok as well."

Navigating the Challenges

While the physical strain is immense, the runners cited logistics and navigation as the hardest aspects of their epic trip. Joe explained that plotting a path through unfamiliar areas is mentally taxing:

"I think for me personally the hardest bit is the logistics. We're coming out of Leeds last year for example or running through the city centre. I know Leeds like the back of my hand if I'm driving but so far as actually running through the streets itself and going down little alleyways and that sort of thing. You don't really know where you're going.

So constantly looking at the maps on your phone and that sort of thing. That for me is the hardest bit cuz mentally and physically we know we can do it but so far as the route's concerned itself just having to constantly look figure out where you're going until you're back on home turf then yeah, that's the hardest bit for me."

Mitch echoed this sentiment, focusing on the difficulty of navigating the long stretch of roads from the capital to the Yorkshire Coast:

"Obviously London, we know bits and bats about it, but in terms of running from the Big Ben all the way to Flamborough, there's going to be little bits of roads that you don't that you don't necessarily know about or you've never driven or walked. So, it's just going to be constantly checking your phone.

For the most part, we've been able to plan it pretty easily so far as the route's concerned. Roadwise, it's all just going to be normal a roads, back roads, that sort of thing. Using this trusty old Google maps helped us do it, but I sure hope there's no trails or anything cuz we don't think we've prepared for any fields. like that."

The team plans to use "normal a roads" and "back roads,", they are attempting to maintain an average pace of four to five miles per hour, including necessary rest and food stops.

The runners have received key support from sponsors to manage the logistics of hotels and travel. Joe also highlighted the support of team leader Ryan Wilson, who has been instrumental in guiding them throughout the process.

Supporters are encouraged to donate towards the cause, as "even the smallest of amounts can help towards the awareness and prevention of male mental health, suicide awareness and testicular cancer alike," according to the runners.

Their fundraising page can be found at https://uk.movember.com/mospace/14544157

The team is documenting their progress daily on social media platforms including Instagram and TikTok.