While the first finishers arrived into Robin Hood’s Bay yesterday, the majority of participants were still making their way through the North York Moors today.

Though the field is spread out, many runners are banding together to support each other through a demanding 300km course. There have been many wonderful stories emerging from this epic journey, from sleep hallucinations, to new lifelong friendships. It will certainly be an unforgettable experience and the achievement of a lifetime for these intrepid runners.

*Participants were all smiles in the Lordstones support point ©No Limits Photography*

There were some heart-warming moments on the finish line

There were tears and hugs at the finish line, as a trickle of participants were welcomed into Robin Hood’s Bay by friends, family and event team. The weather was once again on their side, with the quaint buildings of Robin Hood’s Bay illuminated by glorious sunshine as participants reached the finish. Some participants celebrated with pints of beer, ice creams and fish and chips.

It was wonderful seeing the smiles and tears of joy at the finish line as finishers achieved their lofty goal of crossing the width of the entire country on foot.

Kirsty Reade was one participant who reached Robin Hood’s Bay this morning, coming in as 4th lady. She was met at the finish by her partner and their dog. She didn’t even seem tired when we met her down at the sea front.

She said, “It was really, really good. I'd done multi-day stuff but not non-stop, so that whole sort of element was really interesting – I learnt loads of stuff.”

We asked for her highlights. She said, “The Lakes bit was amazing and it was nice having a lot of people around. Last night and the night before I didn't see one runner. I was on my own the whole time which is really strange. So probably the Lakes. Or having a nap – that was the best bit.”

Kirsty had some interesting hallucinations. “The first night was fine, and then the second night – that was weird. All the white rocks were looking like sheep. But last night was like nothing I've ever had. I was walking down the road thinking 'That's a man there, I'm going to say hello to that man' and it was just a bush.”

Kirsty isn’t the only participant to experience sleep-deprivation hallucinations, with another participant telling us he had a conversation with his own shadow, and another seeing the blades of grass as animals and statues.

Kirsty had some good strategies to keep her going through the night though. “I had to talk to myself all night last night or sing. I was doing alphabets of bands just to stay awake.”

“It really messes with your head – the distance. It's really hard to break it down. I found it hard to break it down mentally without getting ahead of myself. You can't just think 'oh just 40 miles' as that in itself is really hard.”

*Kirsty (left) earlier on in the week tackling Nine Standards Rigg ©No Limits Photography*

Geoff Capps looked tired but content when he reached the finish, having gone without much sleep at all. He did, however, get some shut-eye after the North York Moors.

He said, “There’s a pub just when you come off the North York Moors, and there's 2 benches outside. The landlord saw me falling asleep and said there's a bench with a cushion there if you want to lie up there. That was kind of him. I just got my head down - I don't know how long for. Up to that point I'd only had 30 minutes. Steve Chamberlain made me have 30 minutes - I have to mention his name because he looked after me.”

His next goal is the Tor De Géants. However, he is looking forward to a much-anticipated rest first, saying “I'm going to have a couple of days off, cycle rides, easy walking. Do some relaxing running.”

The volunteers and event staff really made the experience for Geoff. He said, “I can't fault the Event Team. You want for nothing. I've had a laugh and good banter with them all as well.”

Sarah Kirsty Williams echoed this. She said, “The Event Team packed your drop bag for you. It was a magic trick.”

She was delighted to have finished the race, after disappointment last year. “I DNF'd last year at Kirkby Stephen so this was unfinished business.”

It’s been truly inspirational seeing our participants take the challenge in their stride and they have much to be proud of.

*Event Team greet an incoming runner to the Lordstones support point ©No Limits Photography*

Lordstones was a hub of activity

The final checkpoint is at Lordstones, an unexpected haven where Coast to Coast walkers are often surprised to find they can get a coffee after coming down off the remote and wild moors of Carlton Bank. This support point is new for the 2023 event, but it was a hive of activity around lunchtime today.

Spirits were high when we dropped in to see the mid and back of pack runners, who were resting in the support point, having their feet seen to, napping, and loading up on burritos, which had been receiving rave reviews throughout the field.

Despite being 232km into the route, the atmosphere was one of optimism.

One runner we spoke to was Andrew Hall Summer, who had travelled from Spain to take on the challenge.

His blister have slowed him down, but he is determined to get to the finish. He said, “I've discovered I'm mentally stronger than I thought I was.”

The Event Team and the support points have been one of the highlights so far. “The team have been absolutely fantastic. I've never known support like this on a race, ever. The medics, the physios, everybody. The attention I've had to my feet I'd have to pay a fortune for normally.”

*A team of medics see to a participant’s feet ©No Limits Photography*

Apart from struggling with blisters, the main struggle for Andrew has been running through the night. “I'm sure Wainwright meant this to be seen during the day. Kidsty Pike – I'm sure it's absolutely beautiful – but I saw nothing of it apart from fog, and ice, and Lakes Traverse participants flailing around. That's when it occurred to me that Wainwright was just having a laugh with us.”

He was looking forward to the journey ahead, and had a look of determination. He said, “I'm not sure what is ahead of me and I'm quite happy about that. I did so much studying and read the guide book and now I'm actually here, most of it's just flown. I'm going to motor on, and I'm going to get to the end. I'm not coming down off this hill in a van.”

He left the support point looking ready and raring to go, intending to catch up his fellow participant Pat Quill, who he’d spent much of the morning running with.

*Andrew Hall Summer was resting in Lordstones support point when we caught up with him ©No Limits Photography*

“It’s been a couple of days of seeing the best of humanity”

The North York Moors are notorious for bad weather, due to the fact they are so exposed. However, that was not the case today, as we headed out over Carlton Bank to catch the back of pack runners . Despite having now run through three nights, everyone we spoke to sounded incredibly positive.

Siobhan Brennan was on excellent form. “It's a really incredible experience. It's just been amazing.

She was not far from the support point when we caught her. “I'm thinking about a gin at the finish. At the support point I'm looking forward to getting my shoes off. I’ll have a sleep for a little bit and just crack on.”

Siobhan’s family have been following her on her journey. She said, “I don't want to be broken because I'll be taking over childcare. My husband has been waving to us from the side of the road. My youngest one is quite a good little fell runner and he was bouncing around like a spaniel when we came into Shap.”

Like many other people we spoke to, Siobhan’s highlight has been the people. “The highlight has been making new friends and finding your tribe. The staff have just been amazing. It's going to be really hard going home and not having this army of volunteers looking after me. I'd like to come back and volunteer and give something back.”

“The people here have been very kind and are very supportive. It's been a couple of days of seeing the best of humanity - it's really just amazing.”

*Siobhan and Michelle sharing wisdom in the support point ©No Limits Photography*

Michelle Newton and Michael Hodgkiss have run the whole race together, and have been supporting each other on the journey. They were looking forward to the support point. Michelle said, “I'm ready for the checkpoint. Ready for a shower, a sleep, and then to crack on. We've got loads of time.”

“I think running together helps as well,” Michelle continued. “A lot of people have buddied up!”

An unlikely route highlight for the participants is the garage on the A19 just before the North York Moors section. Michelle confirmed this, saying, “Everyone was in the A19 garage getting their coffee and their sandwiches before this and having little naps getting ready to come up here. We saw a guy asleep on the grass at the top, having a nap before he came down.”

For Len Darnton, the journey just gets better the longer he goes. “I've grown into it really over the days. Apart from blisters – I’ve probably got about 10 at the moment. Apart from that, it's just brilliant.”

“The highlight was getting up to Nine Standards at sunrise. It was a really frosty, cold morning, but it was really clear. Just golden. It was a special moment.”

Belgian runner, Pascale Mathonet was also enjoying the stunning weather. She said, “Today is lovely, absolutely lovely. I managed to get sunburn – mostly on the right-hand side because we are walking East!”

The North York Moors section has been particularly enjoyable for her. “The scenery is absolutely gorgeous. I have never been actually in the Yorkshire Moor - it's beautiful.”

*It was a brilliant day out on the North York Moors ©No Limits Photography*

Many runners will have one final night of running

While today saw a steady flow of runners into the finish, there are still many more out on course. They are currently making good progress over the North York Moors, and have until midnight on Wednesday to make it to the finish. You can follow their progress via the live tracking.

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