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One Question Across England: Running the Wainwright Coast to Coast for Mind


There are some ideas that arrive quietly and then refuse to leave. One Question Across England is one of those ideas.


In 2027, I plan to run Alfred Wainwright's iconic Coast to Coast route, crossing England from St Bees on the Irish Sea to Robin Hood's Bay on the North Sea. The journey covers around 190 to 200 miles and passes through the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors. It will be a significant endurance challenge. But this project is about much more than running.


One Simple Question

Throughout the journey, I will ask people one question: When life feels really tough, what helps you find a way forward? Sometimes the answer may relate to a difficult run. You are tired, under-fuelled, doubting yourself, and trying to work out whether you need more training, better pacing, or simply a sandwich and some water. Sometimes the challenge is much bigger. A change in career. A relationship breakdown. Grief. Uncertainty. A period where life feels overwhelming. Whatever the scale of the challenge, I am fascinated by how people keep moving forward.


Why This Matters to Me

Running has become one of the most important parts of my life. It keeps me healthy, gives me time to think, connects me with nature, and introduces me to remarkable people.

I am approaching the end of a career that I have genuinely loved and preparing for a new chapter. That transition is exciting, but it also comes with uncertainty. One of the phrases that has guided me for years is: Trust the Process. I liked those words so much that I had them tattooed on my forearm, a little larger than I originally intended. To me, they are a reminder that progress is rarely a straight line. Whether in running or in life, there are setbacks, doubts, and moments when the finish feels a very long way away. But if we stay patient and keep putting one foot in front of the other, we usually move closer to where we want to be.


Why the Wainwright Coast to Coast?

The Wainwright Coast to Coast is one of the most iconic long-distance routes in the UK.

Created by Alfred Wainwright, it links two seas and crosses some of England's most spectacular landscapes. It is a route of steep climbs, wild weather, tired legs, beautiful views, and constant forward progress. That feels like a fitting metaphor for life.


Supporting Mind

I am also delighted to be working towards supporting Mind. Mental health affects every one of us, either directly or through the people we care about. Through this challenge, I hope to raise both funds and awareness while creating a space for honest conversations about resilience, hope, and community.


More Than a Running Challenge

My hope is that One Question Across England becomes more than a physical challenge.

I hope it becomes a collection of real stories. Stories about what helps people keep going. Stories about what they have learned. Stories that may help someone else take their next step. If even one person reads these stories and feels less alone, more hopeful, or more able to keep moving forward, then this journey will have been worthwhile.


Follow the Journey

The route is the structure. The question is the heart. The people’s answers are the story.

You can learn more and follow the project here:


And if you would like to answer the question yourself:

When life feels really tough, what helps you find a way forward?

 
 
 

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