A former banker reaches the midpoint in his ambitious quest to run 200 marathons along the coastal perimeter
In a remarkable feat that is challenging stereotypes of aging and redefining what's possible later in life, 65-year-old Steve James has completed 100 consecutive days of running, reaching the halfway point of his ambitious challenge to run 200 marathons around the British coastline[1].
This monumental milestone is being closely monitored by a team of researchers from the University of Exeter, who are studying the physiological and health impacts of such extreme physical activity on an older adult's body[1].
Dr. Freyja Haigh, a nutritional physiology researcher at the University of Exeter, is working with Mr. James to track his calorie intake, blood, oxygen, and muscle measurements, as well as monitoring the impact of his running challenge on his body[1]. The research team is also tracking Mr. James's energy intake and expenditure to assess any changes in body mass[1].
So far, the high-endurance challenge has shown no adverse effects in Mr. James's blood samples, but it remains unclear whether his weight loss is from fat or muscle mass[1]. It's worth noting that Mr. James has lost weight during his challenge, as anticipated by the researchers[1].
Throughout his life, Mr. James has been no stranger to physical challenges. He has participated in the Ten Tors hiking challenge and cycled around the world in 220 days[1]. His current challenge, however, is the first of its kind for a person over 60 to attempt running around the British coastline[1].
Nick Butter holds the record for running the British coastline, having completed the feat in 128 days at the age of 31[1]. Mr. James set off from Topsham, Devon on April 16 and will end his feat there after running anticlockwise around the coast for seven months[1].
Despite facing hardships such as harsh weather conditions, closed footpaths, severely blistered feet, and a gout flare-up resulting in a hospital trip[1], Mr. James remains determined to inspire others over 60 that you are never too old to attempt the impossible[1].
By the end of his challenge, the University of Exeter researchers aim to have more insight into how far a 65-year-old person can push their body[1]. They hope that their findings will shed light on resilience, cardiovascular health, and musculoskeletal responses to prolonged exertion in older adults[1].
[1] Based on information provided in the bullet points.
Scientists from the University of Exeter are delving into the realm of health-and-wellness and aging, using Steve James's extreme running challenge as a case study to explore the physiological impacts on an older adult's body. Dr. Freyja Haigh's research aims to further our understanding of science by studying the energy intake, oxygen levels, muscle measurements, and body mass changes in Steve James, a 65-year-old running marathons around the British coastline.
