Lands End to John O’Groats: Miss Bennett’s End2End Challenge

On 1 January I began the virtual End2End #LEJOG9 challenge of running and walking the distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats. This provided me with some much needed fresh air and time enjoying the countryside during lockdown. As normality slowly returned, it was becoming more of a challenge to find time to fit running and walking into busy days, but I was determined to raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK, and so I set my sights on a big finish! 

On Saturday 22 May I set off around Worcester to take on the 13.1 miles. I was joined by Mrs Swingler for parts, who provided much needed motivation and I managed to complete my first ever half marathon in 1hr 50mins. The next morning, I set off at 8am from Heightington Village Hall near Bewdley to begin the journey along the Worcestershire Way path to Malvern. The first few miles flew by until we hit the Abberley Hills and the incline just kept coming! I then travelled over the Martley hillside, over Ankerdine hill and down to Knightwick, where my Dad and Miss Gidon kindly joined me to tackle the hills over Suckley. Miss Gidon certainly helped keep the pace up and provided some excellent stories to entertain us along the way! The weather then took a turn for the worse as we made the final ascent via West Malvern to the Beacon, which is where I had planned to complete the 26.2 miles. I have walked the Malvern Hills hundreds of times but this was by far the worst conditions I have ever known up there. After completing the challenge of travelling almost 1,000 miles this year on foot, all the blisters have been worth it and I have raised over £1,000 for Cancer Research UK in the process. 

I would like to thank the RGS community for your support towards such a brilliant cause, and I encourage everyone to set a physical challenge that will push you out of your ‘comfort zone’. No matter how long, short, fast or slow you do it, it’s doing it that counts! With Hockey pre-season training almost upon us, my next challenge commences this month… running the distance to Tokyo with a team from Stourport Hockey Club towards a ‘Hockey for Heroes’ fundraiser! 

Miss Leanne Bennett

Head of Hockey

If you would like to support Miss Bennett’s fundraising, please do visit her JustGiving page.