Steve James, a retired banker with a penchant for the extraordinary, has just etched his name into the annals of British endurance sports. At 66 years old, James completed his 200th marathon in as many days, traversing the entire 5,240-mile coastline of mainland Britain entirely on foot. The journey, which began on April 16, 2025, in Topsham, Devon, culminated seven months later on November 1, 2025, back where it all started. Not only did James celebrate his 66th birthday on the final leg, but he’s also believed to be the first man over 60 to accomplish this jaw-dropping feat.
From the outset, James’s mission was as personal as it was public. “When I started this challenge, I just wanted to see if I could do it and to think I’ve run all the way around Britain at 66… even my knees can’t believe it,” he said, his voice thick with a mix of pride and disbelief. The finish line in Topsham was crowded with friends and family, whose cheers seemed to echo the magnitude of his accomplishment. “Being greeted by my friends and family at the finish line, it’s hit me how much this has taken, and what it means to me to have made it,” James reflected.
But let’s not sugarcoat it—the journey was grueling. James faced the full wrath of the British climate, from the biting winds of storm Floris to the relentless rains of storm Amy. He trudged through closed footpaths, battled severely blistered feet, and even suffered a gout flare-up that landed him in A&E. “There were plenty of days I thought, ‘What on earth am I doing?’ I’ve had every kind of weather, every kind of ache. But it’s just shown me that you’re never too old to take on something huge. You’ve just got to start and keep going,” James recounted.
For seven months, not a single day was taken off. James ran through seven pairs of trainers, became a state pensioner mid-journey, and climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest ten times—at least in terms of accumulated elevation. “I haven’t had a day off in seven months so I’m quite looking forward to the prospect of a lie-in and not having to complete 26 miles tomorrow,” he joked, finally allowing himself a moment to relax.
Throughout this epic trek, James was not alone. Researchers from the University of Exeter, led by nutritional physiology expert Dr Freyja Haigh, closely monitored his health. Each day, James took meticulous measurements of his calorie intake, energy expenditure, and body composition, sending fortnightly blood samples back to the lab. The goal? To understand the physiological toll of such sustained, extreme endurance.
Dr Haigh was impressed by what she saw. “We know exercise is good for us, but to what extent? We’ve seen no detriment to overall health, from the fortnightly blood samples Steve has sent us, and the body measurement changes suggest that Steve’s weight loss is a result of fat rather than muscle which is a positive result to see after such a long time in an energy deficit,” she explained. The research team is eager to bring James back into the lab for post-challenge tests to determine exactly how much muscle mass he managed to preserve.
“What Steve has accomplished is absolutely amazing. Given his age even Steve wasn’t sure if he could do it but he’s worked incredibly hard over the last few months, so he truly deserves this achievement. It has been such a privilege to work with Steve, his efforts give us such valuable knowledge about the body’s ability to cope with the demands of such extreme endurance,” Dr Haigh added.
James’s achievement is all the more remarkable considering his lifelong love for demanding physical exploits. His appetite for adventure was first whetted as a schoolboy taking part in Ten Tors, a notoriously tough Dartmoor challenge. In 2019, he cycled around the world in just 220 days, further cementing his status as a serial adventurer.
Despite the hardships—harsh weather, medical scares, and the sheer monotony of daily marathons—James remained injury-free. His resilience and determination became a beacon for many, especially those who followed his journey online. Throughout the challenge, he documented his progress as "Banker on the Run" on Facebook and Instagram, sharing daily updates and candid reflections. His posts not only inspired thousands but also helped raise funds for Cancer Research UK through his JustGiving page.
“It has been quite the challenge, I’ve survived storm Floris and storm Amy, been through seven pairs of trainers, become a state pensioner and climbed the equivalent of Mt Everest ten times,” James summarized, a hint of disbelief still lingering in his tone. The record for running the British coastline belongs to Nick Butter, who completed the journey in 128 days at age 31, but James’s accomplishment stands out for its audacity and for shattering age-related expectations.
James’s story isn’t just about personal triumph—it’s a testament to human endurance and the power of persistence. It also offers valuable insights for sports scientists, thanks to the University of Exeter’s involvement. The data collected during his journey could inform future research on aging, endurance, and health, potentially benefiting athletes and non-athletes alike.
As James settles into a well-earned rest, his feat serves as a rallying cry for anyone doubting their own potential. “But it’s just shown me that you’re never too old to take on something huge. You’ve just got to start and keep going,” he insisted, his words ringing true for anyone facing a daunting challenge.
With his 200th marathon behind him, Steve James can finally enjoy that long-awaited lie-in, knowing he’s inspired a nation—and perhaps, in the process, changed how we think about age, endurance, and the art of the possible.