Megan Boxall is running 200 marathons in 200 days around the coastline of Britain. Here, the financial journalist who lives on the Suffolk coast explains the personal reasons why she is raising money for The Samaritans – and why she will be celebrating businesses on the way
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Megan. I’m a financial journalist in my normal life and I’ve worked in various publications over the last 10 years. But I left employment in July to focus fully on Run Britain. Once I’m into the swing of things, I’m hoping to continue with a bit of financial journalism work by sharing the stories of British businesses on my blog.
Are you Suffolk born and raised? What do you love about the county?
I grew up in Hertfordshire, but my family have had a house in Thorpeness my whole life. We’d spend the whole summer here as children and I loved it. I moved to Thorpeness permanently at the start of 2025 because it is my favourite place in the world. I love the views of the sunrise over the sea. I love the endless places to run. And I love that it’s so peaceful. I am completely at home in Thorpeness. It’s a very special place.
What has led you doing the Run Britain challenge and what charity will be benefiting and why?
I’ve struggled with poor mental health for most of my adult life. I’ve always chugged along ticking the boxes of what most people would call ‘normal’ (get a job, get a house, get married), but I never felt like myself. In 2024, I was diagnosed with MS and my mental health deteriorated to the point that I attempted suicide. I knew something had to change. When I was on a run in Sizewell at the start of 2025, I knew I was feeling much better, much clearer, much more like myself. I thought how healing the coast had been for me and I felt like if I could run the whole thing and share the stories of the communities and people along the way, I could perhaps do something that was healing for anyone who might be having their own struggles. I’m raising money for the Samaritans because they were an incredible support during the worst points of my life.
What is the record you’re hoping to beat and how is it going so far?
The female record for circumnavigating Britain is 298 days, set by Linzi Bell last year. She covered just over 6000 miles, which is slightly more than what I am attempting. She is the only woman to have done the full coastline. There is no official coast path route (which is why the numbers vary slightly), but I am following almost the exact route of the male record holder, Nick Butter, who took 128 days for 5240 miles. I started with the Sizewell ParkRun.
How have you trained for the challenge, and when should you finish, all being well?
Lots of volume and time on feet. I’ve done 200km weeks in training, plus strength work. The key really has been to remain injury free. So, lots of stretching and pre-hab work as well as running.
Who is supporting you on the walk, and where are you staying on the way?
I have lots of different support in sections. I’m staying with friends and friends of friends for some areas and in the more remote locations (Cornwall and Scotland), I will have a camper van with a driver. But I also have parts that I am doing self-supported and carrying my stuff day to day. Then, I’ll stay in hotels. Mostly, people are being very generous and kind with their time and support.
Where can people find out more and support you?
There’s more information about me and why I’m doing this on my website (meganboxall.com). There’s a form on there if you’d like to join me on any part of the coast path. I’ll also be updating my online diary daily. And I’ll be writing weekly updates on Substack. I’ll be using Instagram to post updates throughout the day of running (Megan.runbritain).
Megan Boxall is fundraising for Samaritans. The Run Britain challenge started on Tuesday October, 21, 2025 at Sizewell Beach, Suffolk and finishes on the same beach on 9 May, 2026. Visit Megan Boxall and follow on Instagram.
Featured image of Megan Boxall by Gavin King
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