Isle of Wight man runs 69 miles around Island for charity

Ben Snow, 21, ran the challenge in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Ben lost his grandmother, Ann Wallace, to cancer 15 years ago and was looking for a way to commemorate her life.

Ben had the idea after completing the 33-mile Lulworth Cove Ultra Marathon in February.

Ben at Egypt Point, Cowes, where he began and finished his 69 mile run (Image: Contributed)

He has always kept fit, playing in the first teams for Newport Football Club and Cowes Football Club, before moving to the mainland three years ago.

Since then, he has kept fit by a combination of gym work and jogging, with long-distance running being something of a family tradition.

Ben completed the run around the Island on a sunny, humid day, with the 21-year-old setting off from Egypt Point, Cowes just after 5am. 

He set off anticlockwise around the Island, following the coastal path route wherever possible.

Ben on Tennyson Down (Image: Contributed)

Friends and family accompanied him on individual sections of the route and was supported by a camper van for refuelling and taking breaks.

Ben returned to Egypt Point, finishing the 69-mile undulating route in just under 12 hours of moving time.

He even managed a sprint finish on his return to Cowes.

The course had over 6,300ft of elevation, and Ben completed 106,253 steps.

Ben's sponsorship fund is close to £5,000, and he thanks all of his support team on the day and everybody who sponsored him, including two unknown fishermen who contributed £20 at the finishing line.

Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity and organisation supporting anyone living with cancer or affected by cancer. 

The organisation's services reached and supported an estimated 2.3 million people affected by cancer in 2023.