I began my Camino Francés FKT attempt on Saturday 30 August 2025 at 07:50 am from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, carrying everything in a 15 liter waterproof running vest that weighed under 4kg. I stayed in albergues, hostels and a campsite. I planned all the logistics myself, bought food along the way, refilled my water bottles at fountains and taps and collected stamps in my pilgrim passport each day. I ran on my own and followed the yellow arrows, shells and other signs along the route and used the Camino app when I was unsure. At the Pilgrim Office in Santiago, they initially thought I had my dates wrong, then congratulated me when they realised I was serious and had ran it! If you collect stamps and show your pilgrim passport at the office in Santiago they will print you a certificate for free!
The Camino tested me physically and mentally every day. My feet were sore, I dealt with calf cramps and knee pain, and there were long stretches of hot weather to start and then rain for the last few days. Some days I wasn’t sure I would reach the finish, but I kept moving step by step. Along the way I found moments of magic — music in the forest at dawn, a rainbow after heavy rain, lots of cats, cows and other animals, and encouraging words from other pilgrims and friends at home, whose messages carried me when I was struggling.
I tracked everything using my Garmin watch which automatically gets uploaded to my Strava. I also recorded myself on Wikiloc as a back up.
Day 1 St Jean Pied de Port → Villava
Day 2 Villava → Azqueta
Day 3 Azqueta → Navarrete
Day 4 Navarrete → Belorado
Day 5 Belorado → Tardajos
Day 6 Tardajos → Población de Campos
Day 7 Población de Campos → Sahagún
Day 8 Sahagún → León
Day 9 León → Astorga
Day 10 Astorga → Ponferrada
Day 11 Ponferrada → Fonfría
Day 12 Fonfría → Gonzar
Day 13 Gonzar → O Pedrouzo
Day 14 O Pedrouzo → Santiago de Compostela
On Friday 12 September 2025 I arrived in Santiago at 10.04am setting the women’s unsupported FKT on the Camino Francés. 13 days, 2 hours and 14 minutes. It feels surreal to be finished after months of preparation and almost two weeks of pushing myself to the limit, but this journey taught me that resilience is built by moving forward, even when it hurts.
I did this challenge for three main reasons: first, as a personal test; second, to inspire other “normal” people to push beyond what they think is possible; and third, to raise money for charity. So far, I have raised almost £5,000 for Street Child and Doctors Without Borders: https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/8602/784km-13000m-up-one-crazy-run-across-spain/
I shared daily updates, which can be viewed in the highlights on my Instagram: @onceinalifetimetraveller.
I know this won’t be the female self-supported FKT for long! If you’re planning to go for it and have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.
(I hope there are no mistakes in this, I'm still very tired!)