It will be third time lucky for a Kendal-based adventurer and motivational speaker who is aiming to finish a challenge he started this summer.
Alex Staniforth is aiming to complete the coast to coast run he started in July this year by running the final 60 miles across the North York Moors to Robin Hood’s Bay.
“It’s not the challenge I originally set out to achieve but my body won’t handle 186 miles right now and I want to close the chapter ready for my next big challenge in the spring,” Alex said.
The first attempt at the self-supported run on July 5 ended after 78 miles and 21 hours of gruelling running when he had a seizure.
Despite that, and just a month later, the British summer weather put paid to his second attempt when he had to stop because of a combination of hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) and sleep deprivation.
Starting at midnight tomorrow, Friday December 9, he will be running solo across the moors facing over 7,000ft of ascent.
“Experience keeps you alive in the mountains and I’m grateful for the chance to try again and put these lessons into practice,” Alex said.
For the adventurer this is just the latest challenge in a career that at only 29 is truly impressive.
Alex is the fastest person to climb all 100 UK county tops and has raised £100,000 through his adventures.
He survived the two most significant disasters in Mount Everest history in two consecutive years. Managing epilepsy, bullying, mental ill health and a lifelong stammer have been subjects he’s talked about during more than 400 presentations all over the world.
“The outdoors is my happy place and has provided the therapy I need since I was 14,” Alex says.
Drawn to Cumbria to be nearer the mountains he loves he’s spent a decade demonstrating how to overcome adversity.
The Coast-to-Coast challenge is part of Project 500, a campaign to raise £500,000 for Mind Over Mountains, a charity Alex co-founded in 2020 to restore mental health through outdoor experiences alongside professional mental health support.
By his 30th birthday next summer he aims to have completed the challenge and be able to fund support through integrated practice bringing together walking in nature, mindfulness, and professional coaching and counselling.
And after the coast to coast challenge this weekend will he be putting his feet up for a well-deserved break over Christmas?
“I sold my car after the seizure meant I had to give up my driving licence for a year, so I plan to cycle to my family in Chester for Christmas,” Alex said.
If 2024 has been busy 2025 looks set to be the busiest yet.
