Jake Parsons (Chevron – 2021)

A 128 mile run from uni to home in Horsham raises thousands to help homeless

Jake decided to run home to Horsham from uni for Christmas – all 128 miles – to help the homeless.

Jake, who is studying health and exercise science at Bath University, set himself the challenge of running the equivalent of five marathons back to his parents’ home in Horsham. He ran with friends and family at various points and managed the feat in just over 48 hours. He conceived the idea and planned the challenge wholly independently and ended up running through the night, through mud, rain and cold, across footpaths, canal paths, fields and roads.

Jake reports, "On Saturday, December 9, I set off at 4am from my university house in Bath, in the pouring rain, making my way to the canal path which would be my home for the next couple of days. The first marathon went by relatively quickly as I was joined by my hometown friend, Henry. At 50km my dad joined me on a bike. The canal path got worse, running through inches of mud in the rain. By 70km the sun was down and the darkness made everything much harder. By 80km I was very ready to give up, but knew I had to keep pushing.

As we got started on day two, the heavens opened up again, soaking through all the extra clothes I had brought. My uncle joined me at 80km and began pacing me at a four-hour marathon pace, which I held on to going through country lanes and up some of the hardest hills of the entire trip. At 85km, halfway, another friend joined to hopefully see me through to the end.”

He had planned to run the whole thing non-stop, but eventually Jake had to pause and take a night's rest, before finishing the final 27km the next day with his mum supporting him on this final stretch. 

His efforts to date have helped raise more than £4,000 for the homeless charity St Mungo’s. Jake's fundraising page is here if you would like to contribute Jacob Parsons is fundraising for St Mungo's (justgiving.com)

A very big 'well done, Jake' from the Hurst Foundation. What an achievement.

With thanks to the Sussex Express and The Argus