On Saturday 20th December 2025, at 6:39am, I set off to attempt the solo unsupported FKT of the John Bunyan Trail.
Going for the unsupported FKT, it was my understanding that I was only allowed to collect water en route, from publicly available water sources. I took this to mean taps in church yards and cemeteries were allowed. I carried all other provisions with me. As it was winter, I took proper cold and wet weather kit, including waterproofs, spare warm layers, survival blanket, first aid kit, spare head torch, nutrition for 20 hours, and capacity for 2 litres of water. Pack weight without phone, power bank, and headtorch was 5kg.
I wanted to combine the attempt with fundraising for Bedford MS Therapy Centre. I put a video up before I set off, explaining what I was doing, and asked for donations. I didn’t go online or check donations until I’d finished. So far we’ve raised almost £2500!
I set off from Cranfield in a clockwise direction. The running was good although I was still getting over a heavy chest cold. There was plenty of mud, and I had wet feet fairly quickly. The first notable challenge was the marsh near the river, just after Stevington. It was deep and the river was high, so I just took care getting through, and carried on towards north Bedford.
The first low point came in Clapham. My cold clearly hadn’t completely gone. By the time I got to Bedford, around 20 miles, I was struggling to stick to my usual easy pace. To be honest if I hadn’t have told anyone I was doing it, I would’ve called it a day in Bedford. A mindset shift was needed. I decided to not worry about the time and focus on getting to my first water stop - Elstow church.
This was a much needed break. A bench where I could put my pack on and refill my water bottles from the tap in the graveyard. It was a flying visit and I got back on the road feeling a bit more sprightly.
Unfortunately this didn’t last. This next section was by far the worst. Pretty much the entire section from Clapham to Barton-Le-Clay is on tarmac, with brief sections of trail. The fatigue built up so fast and for the next 15 miles it became a slog. Just keep moving forward. One step in front of the other. Breaking the run in to chunks. 20 miles, 25 miles, marathon, 50KM, “only” a marathon left, etc. At this point there hadn’t really been any hills. That was soon to change.
At mile 39 I arrived at Barton-Le-Clay church yard. My next water stop. Nutrition was going to plan at least. I swapped empty PF gels for new and grabbed some crisps out of my bag. I knew this next section would be slower but much more enjoyable. The views over the Barton Hills are fantastic anyway, but the sun was getting low in the sky and it would soon be golden hour.
There was a walking section as I headed up on to the hills. I didn’t mind this and at the top was greeted by the ponies and spectacular views. It was a fairly uneventful section, just keep moving forwards. I was struggling though. My ankles had taken a real beating from all the tarmac and there was more to come.
Harlington was my next and final water stop. I found a tap in a cemetery, but I’m still not convinced it was mains water. I drank it through my Salomon Filter but it wasn’t very nice. I spent the rest of the run worrying if I’d be on the toilet the next day.
The next 10 miles were a mixed bag. My mind was going a bit. I hadn’t had any communication with the outside world, just the odd “Hi” to others out walking their dogs and the like. I still wasn’t sure if anyone had donated, or if I was just being egotistical and nobody cared (thankfully they did!). This was when the navigation mistakes became more frequent and I was doing a lot more backtracking. Turns out not having a marks course to follow is much harder in the dark.
The section from to Westoning to Ampthill was about 5 miles, but seemed to take an absolute age. I remember looking at my watch and thinking “I’ve still got at least 3 more hours of this!” as I ran back up a pavement to find the road I’d just ran past. I was still running though. Only walking the steeper hills.
Finally I made it to Ampthill Park. I knew I was close. Just one more big hill past Millbrook Proving Ground, a run to Ridgemont, then a gentle climb to Cranfield. Although there was yet more tarmac, I didn’t care anymore. For the first time I knew I’d actually make it, and complete it quicker than I’d hoped.
Secretly I’d hoped The Swan would still be open in Cranfield, but as I passed it at just gone 11, I must’ve missed last orders. It was then just a run down the high street, past my house, and to the point I started. Finished. 16:34:18. There’s a faster time in there from me, but I can’t see myself doing it again in a hurry!
Over the moon. Very pleased. Hopefully I get granted the unsupported FKT. If not, well, at least I raised a load of money and proved to myself that I can do this alone, but it’s way more fun with others!