Ultramarathon Runner Reaching Exeter Cathedral
54-year-old runner, Frank Wainwright, is expected to arrive at Exeter Cathedral on Friday [2 August], as part of a fundraising ultramarathon attempt to reach every cathedral city in England.
Mr Wainwright, whose journey began in Newcastle on 1 July, is aiming to complete 62 ultramarathons in 62 days, to raise money for children’s charities.
Exeter Cathedral Canon Treasurer and keen runner, Canon Chris Palmer, said he was delighted to be able to welcome Mr Wainwright on the 33rd day of his challenge, and hoped that he would find time to step inside and admire the cathedral’s famous architecture, before continuing his epic journey. He added:
“I’m really looking forward to meeting Frank. I’ve read about his monumental Tour of England and am delighted that I’ll get to hear first-hand just what it’s like to be running so far and visiting so many wonderful places.”
Frank’s Big TOE (Tour of England) is a 2,000-mile loop, linking all 42 cathedral cities, running, on average, 30 miles a day. He hopes to encourage and support the connection between urban life and outdoor wellbeing, while raising funds for youth charity, Brathay Trust.
When asked by PA News Agency, on Monday 8 July, how the challenge was going so far, Mr Wainwright said he was having the time of his life, adding:
“The support that I’ve been getting everywhere going round has been very heart-warming.”
Mr Wainwright is due to arrive at Exeter Cathedral between 10:30am and 11:30am on Friday 2 August. Several runners are expected to join Mr Wainwright for sections of the route, and he says that he hopes to be joined by more. His day-by-day itinerary can be viewed on his website at: https://frankpublishing.com/franks-big-toe-tour-of-england/