Matt runs 1066 footpath

Udimore man Matt Burrows ran the 31 mile length of the 1066 footpath from Pevensey to Rye on Saturday to raise funds for a local charity.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Dec 2015, 10:36 BST

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Matt's WalkMatt's Walk
Matt's Walk

Matt was running for Brede and Udimore Overseas Group, who raise money for four overseas charities: Sight Savers, Deaf in Tanzania, Papua New Guinea Church Partnership and Amani Orphanage in Kenya.

He completed the run in 6 hours and 37 minutes in blustery conditions, arriving at the Ypres Tower in Rye.

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Matt was joined by fellow artist and friend Simon Burton at Westfield for the final 20kms and by John Lee at the Queens Head in Icklesham who ran the last 11kms with them.

At the last count Matt had raised over £1,900, but with donations still coming in, the total will, hopefully, go higher. Of this amount £60 was specifically raised by Jim, John Lee’s black labrador who also ran the last 11 kms.

Matt said: “Many thanks to everyone who sponsored me on the run.”

He added: “The build-up has been exhilarating and exhausting in equal measure - training six days a week with a two hour run on Saturdays and a very long five hours run on Sundays. I have covered just less than 2,000 miles in preparation.

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I have run up and down endless hills; spent many hours squatting, pressing and crunching at the gym; and many more stretching away all the aches and pains.

“I have seen the most incredible sunsets and sunrises, run through fields thick with wild grass and flowers; and even waded 200 metres through waist-deep water whilst it was snowing . It was so cold I couldn’t actually feel it.

There have been some unexpected benefits. I now know the ancient footpaths of East Sussex like the back of my hand. I have seen many wild animals, including multiple snakes.”

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Related topics:RyePevensey