Man, 19, to run perimeter of Britain with 15kg bag

A man wearing a hat and a white and gold top running. He is holding a large water bottle and looking directly at the camera. Image source, Kyle Matthews
Image caption,

Kyle Matthews, from Brighton, is to take on the challenge entirely solo and self-supported

  • Published

A man is hoping to run the perimeter of Britain – completing about a marathon a day for 180 days.

Kyle Matthews, from Brighton, East Sussex, plans to complete a route of more than 3,000 miles (4,828km) around the mainland of England, Scotland and Wales, starting in September.

The 19-year-old is to take on the challenge entirely solo, carrying only essentials and camping equipment.

"I'll be entirely on my own – just me and a 15kg hiking bag," he said.

This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Instagram
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip instagram post by only.in.brighton

Allow Instagram content?

This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of instagram post by only.in.brighton

Mr Matthews is raising funds for Family Action – a charity which he said resonated with him after a difficult upbringing.

"I learnt first hand how a bad childhood can affect the rest of your life," he said.

"I want to do something that could almost break me, but at least there is meaning to it."

A man wearing glasses, a grey hooded top and a brown coat, looking directly at the camera. He is stood in a park. Image source, Kyle Matthews
Image caption,

Kyle Matthews said running had "never been my specialty"

Despite aiming to run 25 miles (40.2km) a day, Mr Matthews, nicknamed The Milky Runner on social media due to his complexion, said running had "never been my specialty".

"In fact, I always hated running. But it was something that I could pick up and do without having to learn more skills," he said.

"I believe it is more about willpower to get through it."

He estimated it would take six to seven hours to run each marathon, with rest days only taken when essential.

The challenge, which begins in Brighton on 1 September, is self-funded, with Mr Matthews hoping to fund the challenge through a GoFundMe page.

If you have been affected by the issues in this story, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, external, on X, external, and on Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, external or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.