THE RUN WAS CANCELLED AFTER 6 DAYS AND 182.7 MILES DUE TO INJURY – THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT – I’LL BE BACK!
Please sponsor me here
Sponsored by
Hero Energy Mints, Pete Bland Sports and Picton Sports (still desparately need corporate sponsors, please help)
Supported by Sean Fitzpatrick (Don’t ask why he signed a Team GB shirt 
)
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go” T.S. Eliot
On March 28th 2013 I am setting off on what may be the biggest challenge of my lifetime (until the next one at least but don’t tell She who must be obeyed I said that 
). Setting off from Newcastle United the plan is to run around the grounds of the 21 most successful Premier League sides of all time finishing at the Mecca of World Football, White Hart Lane, on April 20th which will allow me to take my place on the start line of Virgin London Marathon on April 21st. In total an approximate estimation (is that an oxymoron?) of mileage is 700 miles over the duration of the run or around 30 miles a day.
Before I get deafened by the chorus of ‘Why would he do such a thing’ questions let me tell you it is not a jolly, although it should be fun, but a vehicle to raise money for the three following charities all of which have been chosen for good reasons. The aim is to raise at least £50000 but am hoping for closer to £100000, aim for the stars right……
Thankfully the kind running community out there and friends and family mean I have a lot of support and accommodation sorted for the route already but am always looking for more, please contact me if you think you can offer accommodation, food, running support, media contacts or anything else. Email address is below.
The current planned itinerary is along the following lines but am still to identify a definitive route which avoids major roads, maybe your local knowledge could help? Please look at the route here
Newcastle – Sunderland (March 28th)– Boro (March 29th) – Leeds (March 31st)– Sheffield Wed (April 1st) – Man City – Man U (April 2nd) – Bolton – Blackburn (April 3rd)–Liverpool (April 4th)– Everton (April 5th) – Villa (April 8th)– Coventry(April 9th) – Mk Dons (April 11th) – Southampton (April 14th) – Afc Wimbledon (April 17th)– Plough lane-– Selhurst park- Charlton (April 18th)– Fulham – Chelsea – West Ham – Arsenal (April 19th) – Spurs (April 20th)
Obviously it is important if you commit to a date, once an itinerary is in place, that I can rely on you 110% so only put yourself forward if you are sure. Bear in mind the middle two weeks are the Easter Holidays (at least they are here in Wales).
I thank you in advance for your support. Please feel free to contact me on iampremierleague@gmail.com or 07908209232
Follow @700miles25days
Mat,
Fair play to you mate. I remember you telling me about this the night of Born to Run. I said then that I’d run a good chunk with you and I will stick to that. I live in Oxford,so the Midlands and/or London is easiest for me. I’m not a running club member but know a few who are – I’ll spread the word to them. If you pass through Oxford we have lots of space for you and a kitchen full of good, wholesome food to refuel before you hit the road again. Let me know which dates you want me to block out and I’ll be there.
Dave McHale
Ps. I did my second ultra on 26th May in Northants (go beyond). My goodness, it was the hardest thing I’ve done. 2 miles shorter than Llanelli but 15 degrees warmer, very dry and fairly hilly. I got round in one piece though.
Well done on the ultra Dave.
Up to you mate when you join me, will be leaving Coventry along Grand Union Canal on April 10th, 2 days to Milton Keynes, then from there to Southampton by April 14th which during which I will get closest to Oxford. Is then onwards to the proper Wimbledon then London as per the schedule. You let me know what you want to do mate and I will tell you the specifics. Not got a great deal of support offered south of Birmingham yet so will be glad for anything. Much appreciated.
Take care and say hello to your lovely wife for me.
Matt
Cheers Matt.
Our place in pretty much bang in the middle of the Midlands and Southampton, so you’re very welcome to stay at ours. Given that I know the Grand Union Canal quite well and have ran it many times, I’ll join you for a leg from Southampton on 14th April.
Have sent your regards to Maritza.
All the best,
Dave
Topman, will be in touch much nearer the date unless you fancy Wales in February
I’ve already booked on the Thames Trot on Feb 2nd. It’s a 50 miler from Oxford to Henley along the river, so I’m going to have to sit this one out.
Hi matt, just looked at the route plan between AFC Wimbledon and Plough Lane. Something wrong with the RAC map here as it is showing you running from central london through to Plough Lane, Wimbledon. Whereas AFC Wimbledon are based at Kingsmeadow in Kingston-Upon-Thames. Just though I’d let you know incase you didn’t know the area but you’ve probably already picked it up.
Whats the plan from Southampton to AFC Wimbledon? (Again the RAC website is saying run into central London rather than to Kingston, you’ll be pleased to know it’s less miles to Kingston). Will you be planning on running that leg all in one day?
Thanks Luke
No I hadn’t picked up on the AFC to Plough Lane route, am basically going to wing it day to day by map and with, hopefully, runing buddies who know the area.
I’m certainly not planning to run from Southampton to AFC Wimbledon in one day, was thinking 3 I think. Looking to go via friends in Guildford….
Are you joining me at any stage? Can I also ask how you found out about the challenge please. Trying to spread the word as much as possible….
I’ll hopefully try to join you around the guildford-to wimbledon days around there as I live in Epsom so not far from guildford or kingston.
I saw something on the front page of the runners world website with the title ‘i am premier league’. so clicked through to this website. It’s very rare i look at anything on the website as I just go straight to events.
Have you emailed all the running clubs and tri-athlon clubs that are on your route? They can post to their website and may well have local businesspeople as members so potential for running buddies and extra sponsorship.
Well worth leaning on the charities that you are supporting, the national ones would work best. they should have press officies that should be able to give you a good level of support.
Is there a world record in this? If Guiness World Records can recognise it as ‘most football club grounds reached on foot with in 7 weeks’ then that will give you extra things to shout about.
Any accomodation can be sourced by appealing to local hotels telling them what you are doing.
Just thoughts.
Thanks mate.
Would be great if you can join me and offer soome direction
Tried all the running clubs very early on, poor level of response on the most apart from Blackburn Road Runners. Will try again nearer the time.
Am in touch with charities, BHF and Breakthro very good, Bobby Moore Fund not so at the moment.
Hadn’t considered the World record thing but will investigate. Is 3.5 weeks though by the way
Amazing. Inspirational. Best of luck, and look forward to following your progress.
Are you on Twitter? ..Would be good to track your progress on there
@mattoor
…and thanks for the support
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