Retired banker which runs 200 marathons in 200 days reaches the country of Wales

A retired banker who strives to become the first man over 60 to direct the entire coast of Continental Britain should reach Wales.

Steve James, 65, ran 148 marathons as part of his goal to reach 200 marathons in 200 days, while researchers at the University of Exeter monitor the impact on his body.

Mr. James started from Topsham to Devon on April 16 and intends to end his feat after having run in the antihorarous sense around the coast for seven months.

He runs for about six hours a day, sometimes remaining with his wife in their motorhome or in various dwellings.

“I can’t wait to see the Welsh leg more than any other,” said James, who should reach Wales on Wednesday.

“My family is Welsh from start to finish, the side of my father being Welsh speakers from Pembrokeshire where we still have a property.

“The Welsh Coast path is one of our large long distance trails and I am delighted to make the 870 whole miles and climb your Wyddfa (Snowdon) with my eldest daughter who will join me for this ascent.

“I am proud of what I have achieved, to be the first person my age to try this challenge is a great feeling.

“I made the exeter, in the anti -oho case via Scotland, along the coast to the Welsh border.

“It was exhausting both mentally and physically, but I overcome everything and I am even stronger because of this.”

Mr. James, father of five, has already faced his share of difficulties in his trip, to cross difficult weather conditions, to meet closed trails and to suffer from seriously praised feet and a drop of drop, which led to a trip to the hospital.

The Exeter’s research team assessed it before their departure and continues to monitor it throughout this challenge.

They study his calorie contribution, his blood, his oxygen and his muscular measurements to examine the effect of such an extreme sport on the body.

Dr. Freyja Haigh, a researcher in nutrition physiology at the University of Exeter, added: “We are currently monitoring Steve’s energy intake and expenses in order to assess any change in body mass, to be expected with this very physical challenge.

“We do not know at the moment if Steve’s weight loss comes from fat or muscle mass.

“I hope to visit him in the near future to take measures of muscle thickness several points from the body to compare with those we took before his departure.

“Having reached this point would be an incredible achievement for anyone, but doing it in the sixties is a whole new ball game.

“What Steve really defies the stereotypes of aging and redefines what is possible later in life.

“It is also fascinating in terms of science – Steve gives us a real overview of how this type of endurance affects the body of an elderly person.

“It was such a privilege to work with him so far and I can’t wait to see how it takes place in this next step.”

Throughout his life, Mr. James loved physical challenges, participation in the Ten Tors in school, cycling in the world in 220 days in 2019.

The British coast management record is held by Nick Butter, who finished the feat in 128 days at the age of 31.

But Mr. James, who lives on Dartmoor, is the first person over 60 to try the feat.