Neil Featherby: The story of our Hadrian’s Wall Challenge 

Apart from finding ourselves up on the high ground in the dark, everything else was just brilliant. Escapism at its very best! 

The seven-hour journey after leaving home at 3am seemed to fly by and although it did cause a little aggravation to my hernia pre run, it was a laugh a minute. 

Meeting my old two running mates, Ian Bloomfield and Alan Whitfield, in Bowness also made for what was going to be a very special couple of days. 

Ian also stayed on and drove the support vehicle where we met up with him on route every seven to eight miles, which also made it seem so much easier. Twenty minutes before each check point, we would receive a text asking us what we wanted to drink and eat so as for him to have it all prepared for us upon our arrival. 

(Image: Neil Featherby)

My only mistake was suggesting a start time of just before midday which saw us up on the high ground between 11pm and 3am. For those who know this section of the wall, they will also know just how rugged and hilly it is. The going up was very tough, but the going down hill was downright scary. Whilst there are lots of stepping stones, most are misshapen boulders of all sizes which does not make for good footing, especially in the dark! I bruised and blistered my heels badly and Chas (Allen) turned his ankle which at the time looked like a clean break. 

Whilst we were on the high ground, I also made a point of separating the running time on my watch at midnight to coincide with the end of running every day for 43 years whilst going into day 1 of the start of the 44th year. This was another mistake as whilst I was doing it, I tripped, and face planted albeit to the great amusement of the rest of the team. 

What with a couple of small diversions and then having to go back on ourselves, the actual distance was 85.87 miles with a running time of 23 hours, 12 mins and 34 secs. The actual time with stops at what we called ‘Ian’s Super Café on Wheels,’ totalled 31 hours. 

I took this challenge on due to going through a bit of a slump in January when turning 66 and at the same time after the passing of my uncle John, aged 90, who had been so instrumental in getting me back into running in my early 20s.  

(Image: Neil Featherby)

For the first time in my life, dare I say I started to feel old. More mentally than physically but as we all know it is our mindset which affects the way we go about things. If I am honest things had perhaps not been the best since 2019, but becoming an official pensioner just did not feel right in respect of where all the great years of the past have gone. The only reason I mention this is because I am sure many others have and will go through similar times. 

Anyway, and being someone who is always happy to help motivate others, it was a case of ‘sort out it Featherby’ and time for another challenge I told myself.  

Whilst I kept it quiet for a few weeks it wasn’t long before my closest of friends were putting two and two together. Then after deliberating about what to do when it came to a challenge, I said there is only one thing and it has to be having another go at running the full length of the Hadrian’s Wall footpath what with having done it twice in the past. Having had a meet up in April with all my old mates from the 2008 effort was also another key trigger. 

The four months of training were up and down ie sometimes it flowed and other times it was a bit of a grind, but all in all it rejuvenated me. It not only gave me focus and energy with regards to my running, but also on raising money for some great charity causes. 

The whole journey (training and actual run) was amazing including the 10 plus miles section in the dark on the high ground. 

I was also surprised by just how much running I still had in my legs during the final few miles and very nearly said to the others shall we carry on to South Shields. However, and at the time, best not I thought and what a fantastic run in with not just Craig Bowen Jones, Chas Allen and Karen Grapes, but also with Ian who was taking pics as we came into the finish. “Come on Ian, let’s run together,” I said, “this is for our time together in Kosice in 1987 when we both ran for GB for the first time.” 

(Image: Neil Featherby)

For those who like stats – it was 52 hours without sleep and my polar watch said we had climbed 5,505 feet whilst burning 12,247 calories. 

With regards to the fundraising – well that is also amazing having as I write this raised £5,435 which will go towards our eight super causes and charities – the Hallswood, Hillside and Pact Animal Sanctuaries – NI Dog Rescue and Pawpers in the Ruff – The Fox Angels Foundation and The Mirkwood Rest Home for Retired Sheep. 

A massive thank you to every single person who has supported this challenge. Each donation is greatly appreciated and will go towards helping all of our causes. 

As for what is next? Well in the words of Ian (Bloomfield): “We have to keep making adventures Neil while we still can,” and in the words of my late dad ringing in my ears: “Don’t let age grind you down son” (which it nearly did). 

(Image: Neil Featherby)

I have albeit tongue in cheek suggested running Hadrian’s Wall in both directions ie west to east and then back again. The legend which is Mandy Foyster quickly responded with – “that will make a distance of 168 miles Neil, so how about 168 at 68?” Hmmm – we will see. 

Have a great weekend all…