In a display of otherworldly physical and mental resilience, Jonny Davies has completed the “Run the Capitals” challenge he set out to achieve.
The challenge took him across the capitals of the UK and Ireland—Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin, Cardiff, and London—covering 960 kilometers in 11 days, 12 hours, and 25 minutes.
His journey, however, was far from smooth, as he battled severe injuries, relentless hills, and physical exhaustion throughout. Yet, his mantra remained clear: “We can complain, or we can get it done.”
Davies’ first day began optimistically, running the first 80 kilometers with speed and ease. However, 85 kilometers in, a tendon in his tibia flared up, forcing him to slow down. “Final 20km took four hours of absolute slog,” he wrote on Instagram, reflecting on the pain he endured. Davies powered through, leaning on his determination: “Challenges aren’t supposed to be easy. They are meant to challenge your will, your mental resilience, and today, we won.”
The second day of running proved to be one of the hardest. A swollen ankle left him hobbling through Scotland for 86 kilometers over 15 hours. Unable to flex his foot, Davies’ team became a lifeline. “Without them, I would still be halfway up a mountain laying in the rain,” he admitted. He managed to catch the ferry to Belfast and was met by a doctor to drain fluid from his ankle.
After a medical intervention to reduce the swelling in his ankle, day three offered some relief. Despite the team’s efforts, after just 20 kilometers, the anesthesia wore off, forcing Davies to ice and elevate his foot before continuing. In spite of these setbacks, he completed 51 kilometers and celebrated the progress: “Wasn’t the distance I wanted to hit, but it was my best, and your best is always enough.”
A dramatic shift in momentum occurred on day four as Davies smashed out 80 kilometers with renewed energy, describing it as his “best pace” of the challenge. The pain was still present, but his strategy was simple: “When things hurt, just run faster.” The psychological shift marked a turning point in the journey, giving Davies the morale boost needed as he approached Dublin.
Wales posed some of the toughest terrain, with its steep hills and brutal inclines. By day six, Davies found himself struggling to make progress, referring to his surroundings as “deep waters.” The accumulated strain left him with an ankle twice its size. “Tough days make tough people,” he wrote on Instagram.
On day eight, after 40 kilometers, Davies was unable to put weight on his foot. In response, the team drained fluid from his leg and offered vital support. “It’s not over until it’s over,” he reaffirmed after completing 80 kilometers that day.
The ninth day marked the completion of his run through Wales as he made a slow descent from the Brecon Beacons into Cardiff. His pace had slowed, with 15 kilometers taking him three hours, but the finish line in Wales brought new motivation. “All forward motion is positive,” he mused, whether at “1 mph or 100 mph.” His arrival in Cardiff was celebrated by supporters, a heartwarming moment that Davies said he would “hold onto for life.”
As Davies crossed into England on Day 10, the physical toll of the journey was at its peak. Both ankles were flaring up, however, he completed 90 kilometers that day. In the final stretch, Davies’ resolve to finish was unwavering: “The home straight now; London is in my sights.”
After 11 days, 12 hours, and 25 minutes, Jonny Davies arrived in London, completing his 960-kilometer challenge.
Davies embarked on the “Run the Capitals” challenge not only for the personal challenge but to raise funds for Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a charity established in partnership with lululemon that focuses on suicide prevention and mental health support.
To amplify the impact, lululemon is matching all donations to CALM up to the first £50,000, offering supporters an opportunity to double their contributions and help Jonny make an even greater difference in supporting this cause.
As more athletes take on these extreme physical challenges, stories like Jonny Davies’ “Run the Capitals” continue to inspire. His journey serves as a powerful reminder that, even when faced with adversity, progress is always possible—one step at a time.
In Davies’ own words: “It’s not over until it’s over.”
- Jessica Bayley