JOGLE

JOGLE means taking a route the length of Great Britain between John O’Groats and Land’s End.  There are many means of travelling the distance: some, cycle, either solo or on a tandem, some walk, it’s been done on a skateboard and many other methods have been chosen.

In September 2019, I ‘ran’ a JOGLE which involved walking, shuffling and some limping and hobbling too. My poor legs and feet haven’t yet forgiven me because they learned that it hurt….. a lot.

The total distance was 875 miles but in persevering and finding depths I didn’t know were possible I’m delighted and humbled to have been recognised by Guinness as setting a new World Record as the Oldest Female to do it.

I’m not some elite athlete who’s been running all their life. In fact, I only ‘dipped my toes in the water’ of ultra-running seven years ago and I’ve certainly never done anything on this scale.

The reason I set myself this challenge was to raise awareness of serious matters concerning health and ageing, which I’ve written about elsewhere. There’s a short video here. Everyone in the country from the top to the bottom is affected – hence my choice of route.

It was an enormous surprise and pleasure that many people down the country came out to support me and this will be the everlasting memory I have of the event. I can’t thank you all enough, it was so lovely to meet you all and it made it all worthwhile.

The ultra-running community comprises an amazing collection of people of all ages and from all walks of life. I have made many friends in the few years I have been shuffling along at the back of the pack. I feel enormously privileged that many of those people offered their time to support my journey down the country. They worked much harder than I did. They managed logistics, keeping me eating and drinking, making sure I had the appropriate kit on for whatever weather befell us, organising sleep and, crucially, encouraging me. I just had to put one foot in front of the other. I will be forever in their debt.

I was fundraising during my run and so far thanks to all your support we have raised over £11,000. You can learn more about that here.

I’ve written an account of my journey which you can find here.

2019 JOGLE Posts

More JOGLE posts →