Elliot’s Italian Ultramarathon

Former local resident of Leatherhead, Elliot, has just completed his own ultramarathon in Italy. He ran from Rome to the Amalfi Coast (175 miles), navigating his own route and staying in hotels along the way.

He said: “I’ve chosen to raise funds for MFT because I grew up in Surrey and have always felt a strong connection to my local community. Supporting a charity that spreads awareness about mental health, a cause close to my heart, is incredibly important to me.” 

He’s written a blog to tell us more about his incredible achievement:

Rome to Amalfi

– 7 days

– 175 miles

– 387,866 steps

– 20,000 calories burned

– £650 in donations (so far)

– One dodgy knee

– Mental health? Best it’s ever been.

Mission: Success.

Fitness has been part of my routine for the past two years, but it wasn’t until I discovered running just two months ago that I truly realized its power to boost mental health. After completing my first 5k and 10k runs, I was instantly addicted by the mental clarity and well-being it brought, leading me to run almost every day.

Then, in true Elliot fashion, I had a bold and impulsive idea: to push my limits and embark on a seven-day journey from Rome to Amalfi. Over the first four days, I ran over 130km and, unsurprisingly, developed a ligament injury in my right knee. Despite the pain, I kept going, managing to jog another 25km non-stop the following day with the help of a strong Italian painkiller which became my good friend for the rest of the journey. The final leg—50km from Naples, including a 1000m mountain hike—was by far the toughest. My body was in agony, and I was limping like a zombie. But I was determined to finish; nothing could stop me. After 50km and 11.5 hours, I finally reached the finish line at my hotel on the beach in Amalfi. I collapsed in a chair in the foyer and didn’t move for about 15 minutes until the owner dragged me to my room.

This journey had a greater purpose: raising over £650 for the Mary Frances Trust, a mental health charity. The pain I endured was temporary, unlike the lifelong struggles many face with mental health. All it takes is that first step, and your donations will help this charity do just that.

This adventure reminded me that life’s most memorable experiences often come from taking risks. Whether for fitness, mental clarity, or a good cause, sometimes the craziest ideas lead to the most rewarding outcomes.

P.S. If you need tips on some charming Italian towns, I’m your man!

Elliot

Want to support Elliot’s fundraising efforts? It’s not too late!

If you’d like to donate in support of Elliot’s fundraising for MFT, please visit his fundraising page:

https://fundraising.maryfrancestrust.org.uk/fundraising/elliot-lang

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