On the 20th and 21st of June, Luke Birch and Peter Rawlence will attempt to run the Isle of Wight Coastal Path — approximately 115km — to raise money for ClientEarth, an environmental law charity close to both of their hearts.

About the Run

“The route can be completed in as little as two long days, but that is not advisable.” — Wikipedia

The Isle of Wight coastline measures around 90km as the crow flies, but with diversions and inland wiggles, the official Coastal Path stretches just over 112km and includes nearly 2,000m of ascent.

Day 1 will take the runners from Bembridge, the Island’s easternmost point — described by the Daily Mail as “Yachtie Chic” — across the more urban north coast to the Island’s iconic western tip, the Needles.

Day 2 covers the wilder, more scenic southern coast, home to Freshwater Bay and rolling cliffs, where they’ll hope the dramatic landscape will inspire them onwards.

About the Runners

Both runners are grappling with the realities of aging and are using this run as a form of escapism.

Luke Birch has a long and questionable history in endurance events, having swum the English Channel, rowed the Atlantic, and stumbled his way through a desert marathon. However, it turns out he’s much better on water than he is on land — more recent attempts at brutal mountain races like the Dragon’s Back and UTMB PTL proved a bit too ambitious (and a lot too painful). Still, he remains endlessly optimistic that this time might be different.

Pete Rawlence, meanwhile, has undergone a dramatic transformation — from 20 cigarettes a day to 20km a day. Running has taken over his life with all the zeal (and smugness) you’d expect from a reformed smoker.

About the Charity

ClientEarth is one of the world’s most ambitious environmental organisations. They work across borders, systems, and sectors, using the law to protect life on Earth.

By informing, implementing, and enforcing laws, advising decision-makers, and training legal and judicial professionals, ClientEarth uses the power of the legal system to drive systemic change.

The charity is close to both runners’ hearts: Luke sits on ClientEarth’s NextGen Board, and Pete is a long-time supporter.

We aim to raise £11,500 - £100 for every painful kilometer