Elise Downing ran 5,000 miles around the coast of Britain in 2015/16, becoming the youngest person and first woman to complete the feat. She tells Liv Bolton all about her huge run and what life has been like since. Elise is keen to share the message that anyone can go on a big adventure, you just have to be the one who actually does it.

Elise Downing was in her early twenties and sitting miserably in an office when she decided to do something more than a little out of the norm. She looked at a map of Great Britain and wondered if anyone had ever run around the coast. As you do. A search online suggested not many had. A big running adventure like that would be a good reason to quit her job, she thought. 

Scoot to 2016 and Elise became the first woman and youngest person to run around the coast of Britain. A distance of 5,000 miles (!). She’s now written a book, Coasting, about that epic adventure.

I met Elise for a walk in Leigh Woods near Bristol on a warm but blustery day in August. I wanted to find out what it really takes to get to the start line of a huge challenge like hers, how her body coped covering up to 40 miles a day, and what life has been like since she stopped running around the coast. Post-adventure life is a part of the story that we don’t often hear about.  

Elise is keen to share the message that anyone can go on a big adventure, you just have to be the one who actually does it.

To listen to Elise’s episode, head to Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever else you get your podcasts, and search for The Outdoors Fix.

You’ll also find pictures of Elise and her adventures on @theoutdoorsfix on Instagram or Elise’s Instagram account @elisecdowning

I hope you enjoy the podcast and that it helps motivate you to get outdoors and feel great!

Elise Downing’s bio

Elise Downing ran 5,000 miles around the coast of Britain between November 2015-August 2016. She has written a book about her big adventure, Coasting, which was published in the summer of 2021.  She is a writer, speaker and runner who lives in Bristol.

Liv x

Follow Olivia on Instagram! @liv_outsideuk