Using Google Earth Studio (Beta) I’ve created flyovers of our Week 1 and Week 2 progress. Week 2 sees us cross the channel and those miles were included in our total.
Please excuse the aggressive panning, the tool is a little funky.
Mega Challenge: Week 2
So long England and au revoir France, after 12 days we’ve reached Belgium. Specifically, Maldegem, Flanders, north of Ghent. Looks lovely.
As a club we’re running (and walking and biking) ahead of target by 22 miles. Superbe, as they say in French.
| Lyne Road Running Club | Target | +/- |
| 344 | 322 | 22 |
Fantastique progress has also been made on individual goals. I’d like to call out Carlin and Johnny E who are smashing it.
| Name | 2025 Goal | 2025 Remaining | 2025 % Complete |
| Thomas | 662 | 636.9 | 3.8% |
| Carlin | 261 | 228.9 | 12.3% |
| David | 966 | 915.02 | 5.3% |
| Jonathan B | 408 | 385.44 | 5.5% |
| Matt | 804 | 779.07 | 3.1% |
| Kevin | 1919 | 1850.05 | 3.6% |
| Chris | 1522 | 1462.97 | 3.9% |
| Johnny E | 531 | 470.65 | 11.4% |
There’s a long way to go in Phase 1 (of 5) to reach Bali by year end. Next up is Netherlands, then Germany.
Note – All data up-to Jan 12th 2025. Great work, keep it up.
Mega Challenge: Week 1 and 2025 Individual Goals
And we’re off, again. Bursting out of the gates, past Matt, Tom, Chris, and Kev’s abodes and steaming across London. We are now in Gravesend, heading for the Port of Dover. After five days we are slightly ahead of target. Good job.
| Lyne Road Running Club | Target | +/- |
| 142.81 | 134 | 8.81 |
What’s the view like 142.81 miles from the start you ask? A more quintessentially British view you’d struggle to find:
On to individual goals. Based on your 2024 milage (in Strava) across all activity types, plus a healthy 10% increase, these are you goals for the year. I will provide sporadic updates on your progress each month.
| Member | Goal |
| Thomas | 662 |
| Carlin | 261 |
| Dave | 966 |
| Johnny B | 408 |
| Matt | 804 |
| Kev | 1919 |
| Chris | 1522 |
| Johnny E | 531 |
Good job everyone starting the challenge, keep it up!
Virtual Challenge: From Lands’ End to the end of challenge
With 2024 now in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to review the final results:
- Kevin – 861 miles (Finished)
- Chris – 861 miles (Finished)
- Dave – 861 miles (Finished)
- Matt – 725 miles – Stirling
- Tom – 590 miles – Castleton
- Johnny – 370 miles – Wigan
- Carlin – 259 miles – Lighthorne Heath
A fantastic first year, congratulations everybody! And of course, it wouldn’t be an end-of-year review without the annual awards. This year they go to…
“First Across the Line” Award: Kev
“I Refuse to Walk” Award: Chris
“On Your Bike, Son” Award: Dave
“Smallest Distance for a Single Activity” Award: Johnny B
“Most Miles Covered on Vacation” Award: Matt
“Oxfordshire Is Amazing, So Why Leave?” Award: Carlin
“Signed Up Too Late” Award: Jonny E
And now it’s on to the #TIALRRCRRAWTMC2025-2026TM. First stop, France.
Virtual Challenge: Day 353
A brief update with the latest numbers:
- Kevin – 861 miles (Finished)
- Chris – 861 miles (Finished)
- Dave – 853 miles
- Matt – 723 miles
- Tom – 590 miles
- Johnny – 368 miles
- Carlin – 256 miles
It’s time for those last miles in 2024 and prepare for the Mega Challange!
Announcing the Inaugural Annual Lyne Road Running Club Run, Ride, and Walk Team Mega Challenge 2025-2026™
It is with great excitement and slight trepidation that I officially announce the Inaugural Annual Lyne Road Running Club Run, Ride, and Walk Team Mega Challenge 2025-2026.
This is truly a team challenge, with our run, walk, and cycling distances being combined in an attempt to circumnavigate the globe in under two years.
The World Runners Association (WRA) rules state that a circumnavigation must:
- Cover at least 16,300 Miles
- Include at least 4 continents
- Cross two antipodal points
A monumental challenge of epic proportions to be sure. Of course, here at the LRRC we like to personalize our challenges, we do not simply circumnavigate the globe. Our goal is to visit every member’s home en route, while also trying to best the time set by my University friend, Kevin Carr, who circumnavigated the globe in 621 days.
Let’s take a look at the route:
Full route
The entire route is split into five parts (covered below) and will meet the WRA requirements via the following:
- Mileage16,679 Miles
- 4 Continents
- Europe
- Asia
- Australia
- North America
- Antipodal points are New Zealand and Portugal
Stage 1: England to Bali, 9,780 miles
Stage 2: Australia, 2,281 miles
Stage 3: New Zealand, 164 miles
Stage 4: USA, 2,818 miles
Stage 5: Portugal to England, 1,352 miles
As usual all miles must be logged in Strava and I will provide frequent updates. The challenge will begin on January 1st 2025, with big Johnny E able to get us underway first.
Let’s see if an entire running club can beat one man. Good luck!
#TIALRRCRRAWTMC2025-2026TM
Virtual Challenge: Day 343
With just 23 days remaining in the year, I must now focus on those who could finish the challenge.
With 501 and 607 miles still to complete, Johnny and Carlin are unlikely to cover near-marathon distances daily.
Tom retains an outside chance, with 11.7 miles a day requiring a backbreaking effort, one where he surely must skip Christmas dinner to stand any chance.
Matt and I are tantalizing close, with 140 miles and 55 miles remaining respectively. We can almost see Kev and Chris waiting at the bar. It’ll be touch and go.
I think I’ll go for a ride…
Keep it up everyone.
| Remaining | Per Day | |
| Tom | 270 | 11.7 |
| Matt | 140 | 6.0 |
| Johnny | 501 | 21.7 |
| Dave | 55 | 2.3 |
| Carlin | 605 | 26.3 |
Virtual Challenge: Day 336
December 1st, one month remaining. It’s time for the big finish. Here’s what ya’ll have left to do:
| Remaining | Per Day | |
| Tom | 270 | 9.3 |
| Matt | 145 | 5 |
| Johnny | 501 | 17.2 |
| Dave | 83.1 | 2.8 |
| Carlin | 605 | 20.8 |
Let’s carry the momentum into the 2025-2026 challenge. I’ll post the official route for that later this week.
I’d also like to remind everyone that the official club colour is orange and not whatever these two silver foxes are wearing.
Keep it up!
Virtual Challenge: Day 324
With Oxfordshire experiencing a dusting of snow, I must assume that the UK contingent of the LRRC looked something similar to the above picture today. Combined with early nights, it appears the season is taking a toll on miles completed.
Matt has turned to his in-home bike setup, which I assume Chris objects to with the same vigour as Kevin’s treadmills.
We, the data trackers at LRRC, are not so fussy and will log nearly anything.
The latest numbers are:
| Remaining | Per Day | |
| Tom | 270 | 6.4 |
| Matt | 157 | 3.4 |
| Johnny | 528 | 11.7 |
| Dave | 105 | 2.3 |
| Carlin | 608 | 13.5 |
It’s time for a big finish folks and to carry the momentum into the new year.
Virtual Challenge: Day 315
Another successful week with all participants logging miles. Well done. Here’s the map:
And how much remaining for each of us:
| Remaining | Per Day | |
| Tom | 270 | 5.2 |
| Matt | 169 | 3.3 |
| Johnny | 528 | 10.3 |
| Dave | 168 | 3.2 |
| Carlin | 613 | 12 |
I realize by only showing what’s remaining I don’t highlight how much we’ve accomplished. So here are everyone’s totals:
- Dave: 692M
- Matt: 691M
- Tom: 590M
- Johnny: 332M
- Carlin: 247M
Really excellent achievements all round, of course not forgetting the legends that are Kev and Chris.
Now onto what we’re all seeing…
Dave on the A9 in the highlands:
Matt, also on the A9 in the highlands:
Tom on the A91 near Stirling:
Johnny in Kidsgrove:
Carlin entering Banbury:
Keep it up everyone!
Lyne Road Running Club 