Three guys are running over 28 miles a day for 7 days from the West to East coast of the UK for 3 charities close to their hearts.
Photo credit: Jamie Davies from Unsplash, Instagram @jamm_d
A week long charity event to take place in August sees three guys running 192 miles across the UK, through 3 national parks to raise money for JDRF, Suffers Against Sewage, and Tuberous Sclerosis Association. If that wasn't enough, they are picking litter up along the way...
It's ambitious to say the least, but also majorly inspiring. The guys doing the leg work, Jonty Brown, Sam Jones, and Chris Wilkinson, are novice runners. That's right. You heard it. They are amateur, possibly like you, definitely like me, but giving this challenge the gusto to train hard to get their fitness levels up to be able to conquer this ridiculous running task to raise thousands of pounds for three UK charities, of which you can read more about here.
Currently the guys are training to run over the length of a marathon every day for a week, fundraising, planning around injuries and the like, and creating some awareness to this incredible feat. They are three ordinary guys, doing an amazing thing. They've written a pretty good write up here of how Chasing Change came about here, but *SPOILER ALERT* I'll also be doing a lickle interview with them soon so I can drill into the depths of this madness then.
For now, I've looked into why the challenge and how this become a thing... (Because I'm sure that's what many of you are thinking). The truth is...
Boredom.
Okay, please take this with a pinch of hoo har, it was more than boredom, of course, there was also some ambition, motivation frustration and kindness, but the idea did spark due to boredom. And I love that.
Remember all those many many many people that complained about 'boredom' perhaps two weeks into lockdown? I'd like to introduce those people to these people, then watch their conversations evolve. I think a lot of good things have come from boredom, and from doing nothing, and personally don't find it trivial at all.
It's inspired, a moment of like 'hey! Let's frickin' do something!'. Do you remember doing that as kids? I'm bored, let's go do something. And hey presto, you were a pirate in the woods, or bird watching, dressing in your parents clothes, or digging up worms. (sorry worms).
It's inspired, a moment of like 'hey! Let's frickin' do something!'. Do you remember doing that as kids? I'm bored, let's go do something.
I love that this idea came from boredom. If this is what can come from boredom, imagine the other inpiring ideas that have come out of the dark, lonely and 'boring' year of 2020... why is no one talking about THAT?
I love that this idea came from boredom. If this is what can come from boredom, imagine the other inpiring ideas that have come out of the dark, lonely and 'boring' year of 2020...
Chasing Change are accepting donations for their efforts now, so if you can donate, please do on their fundraising page. Their goal is to raise £20 000, and there's still a long way to go, not only in physical miles, so if you're in awe as I am for their efforts, but have no intention of running, I'm sure some encouragement with your pennies will be appreciated.
They've also created a beautiful website and have a stellar looking Instagram @chasingchangedoco thanks to a combined effort of Sam's photography, Jonty's home videos and Chris' insight on tone and pitch. For more about the charities, the guys interests and motivations, and the whole goddam thing, go have a look on Chasing Change.
It's not like you have to run anywhere.
Chasing Change is an independent idea, with an independent story. What's yours? What's your Independent Lifestyle? You don't have to tell me. Just think on that a while. Until you get bored, perhaps.