Brett Saunders, a 30-year-old from Heathfield, East Sussex, is embarking on a journey to run from John O’Groats to Land’s End, even though he regards himself as a novice runner.
Starting on September 14th from Scotland’s northernmost point, Brett plans to run an impressive 52 miles daily for 16 days, traversing the entire 805-mile route.
He’s dedicating his run to two charities: SUDEP Action and the British Heart Foundation, raising funds in honor of his dear friend, Tom Sibree, and his uncle, John Abbott. Tom, whom Brett describes as one of the kindest souls he has known, tragically passed away from SUDEP in 2015 at just 24 years old. His uncle John succumbed to a heart attack the previous December.
“I was deeply moved by Tom’s passing and his generosity of spirit. His words, ‘if you ever get stuck or need a place to stay, you’ve always got mine,’ still resonate with me,” Brett shared. “SUDEP Action, though a small organization, is making significant impacts, and observing the Sibree family’s strength and reliance on this charity is motivating.”
He continued, “The British Heart Foundation holds significance for me given my uncle’s untimely death from a heart ailment.”
Remarkably, Brett’s introduction to running was during the lockdown. By 2020, he had participated in his maiden race, a challenging 100km. “Although I’ve tackled a few marathons, I’m hardly a seasoned runner,” he stated. “But the idea of running across Britain seemed thrilling and a worthwhile endeavor. Following my 100km race, I felt inspired to elevate my challenge, captivate people, and gather the funds I aim to collect. Consistently covering 52 miles for 16 consecutive days will undeniably be strenuous.”
Discussing his preparations, Brett said, “My training regimen includes extensive walking sessions post long runs. I’m surprisingly relishing the training phase and eagerly anticipate the forthcoming challenge.”
