My Activity Tracking
71
mi
Off to a Flying Start!
When I first announced that I would be taking on the 2026 100k Challenge – Race to the Stones, I knew it would be a big commitment — but I don’t think I fully expected the reaction.
The messages, comments, and support I’ve received in the first few days have been genuinely uplifting. It’s reminded me of something important: while running 100km may be an individual challenge, fundraising never is. It’s a shared effort — and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken the time to donate, share the page, or send encouragement.
In the first week, we’ve already raised £508.
That’s 5% of the total target in just 3 days.
It’s an amazing start, and I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. Every donation represents far more than money — it’s a sign of support for veterans and for the vital work of Combat Stress.
The fundraising momentum is brilliant — but now comes the part that can’t be done with a click or a share.
Now comes the hard work.
From this point on, the training has to become consistent and purposeful. This isn’t a short event — it’s 100km, and I’ll be completing it in ‘combat order’ to raise awareness for Combat Stress. That means not just running further, but also gradually training in boots and kit, building strength, resilience and endurance over time.
And of course, this is the time of year when training isn’t always inspiring. The runs aren’t always sunny and scenic — they’re often in the dark, the cold, and the wet. They’re the runs where motivation is low, but commitment matters most.
In a small way, I think those difficult training runs are an important reminder of the wider purpose behind this challenge.
Because for many veterans, the hardest part isn’t the physical effort — it’s what comes after service. It’s the invisible burden. The sleepless nights. The difficult days. The ongoing work of recovery.
That’s why Combat Stress matters so much.
Their work doesn’t stop after one week, or after one campaign, or when things get difficult. They provide specialist support to veterans living with PTSD and other mental health challenges — and they do it day after day, often quietly, but always with impact.
To everyone who has supported this already: thank you. You’ve helped build momentum and belief right at the start of this journey.
If you’d like to keep supporting, the two biggest things you can do are:
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Donate, if you’re able
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Share the page, so others can see what we’re trying to achieve
Every bit of support makes a difference.
Because their burden is ours.
I am raising vital funds for life-changing mental health treatment for veterans.
Why I’m Taking on the Challenge
Over the last 20 years, I’ve taken on a new challenge every five years to raise money and awareness for Combat Stress — a charity that does vital work supporting veterans living with mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
This year, I turned 50. To mark that milestone, I decided to take on something that felt both personal and meaningful: 50 kilometres for the life I’ve lived so far, and 50 kilometres for the life still ahead.
The 2026 100k Challenge – Race to the Stones felt like the perfect event, a 100km ultramarathon along the ancient Ridgeway, finishing at the historic Avebury stone circle. I studied archaeology at university, and many of the landscapes and ancient sites along the route are places I know well. This also reflects the great link which I want to explore more; the work of Combat Stress and that of Operation Nightingale, a Wessex Archaeology initiative that uses archaeological projects to help veterans recover from PTSD by rebuilding confidence, purpose, and camaraderie.
However, to truly make this a challenge I’ll be completing the 100km in ‘combat order’ — boots, uniform, body armour, webbing, and helmet, as I did for the Bath Half Marathon in 2015 and the London Marathon in 2021.
Running in full kit may seem foolish to some — and it certainly won’t be easy — but it represents the burden that many servicemen and women continue to carry long after their service ends.
As a veteran myself, that burden is not abstract. Their burden is mine, and this is my way of doing what I can to help lighten it.
Any support — whether through donating, sharing, or following the journey — is hugely appreciated and helps make a real difference.
Because their burden is ours.
My Achievements
Thank you to my Sponsors
£150
Emma Barnes
£119.79
Sakom Services Wi Llc
£118.72
Mark Blagbrough
£118.72
Jg
Let's do it - £10,000 +
£107
Allan Finn
£107
Anonymous
You are brilliant x
£106
Maddi Sharkey
£106
Arthur
Well done mate. Way to represent for a great cause. Take care.
£106
Rusmat Ahmed
Brilliant, Amyas. Best of luck.
£106
Gemma Ackerman
£100
Jonathan Slay
£100
Sally G
Thank you
£93.27
Rachael Sandifer
£93.27
Janie Godfrey
£92.22
Jg
£87
Connie Newton
Abrazos from across the pond. Well done, you!
£87
Pete Yates
£85.86
Jg
£80.56
Zachary Smith
£55.88
Magda Godfrey
You are such a wonderful role model, Ams. Wishing you the joy and satisfaction of a valiant run ❣️
£54.75
God Rhod, Em And Harri
Go Godders!! You got this you legend!
£54.75
Tim S
Well done mate. Great effiort
£54.75
Jonas
Well done!!
£54.75
D-j, Karina And Charlie
Go well Amyas, and all in a great cause.
£54.75
James H
Wishing you a tailing wind & no blisters. Go Well 💪🏻
£54.75
Liz
Brilliant stuff, well done you ! You have my utmost respect for even thinking of taking on such a challenge.. I found your reasons in your post very moving…. I would have loved to come to your talk… if you do it again, please can you let me know??
£54.75
The Roberts
Wow Amyas! What an amazing thing! Wishing you all the best and hope you raise lots of money for this great cause. Love from the Roberts/ Cannons xx
£53.32
Abby Hagyard
Run like I'd threatened liver and lima beans!
£53.32
Justin Penfold
£53.32
Anne Quelch
£53.32
Henning Gwynnifer
£52.12
Lisa-ann Molloy
£50
Michael Mceleavey
£50
James Lyons
£50
Ed Lucy
Good luck you mad man!
£50
Nick J
£50
Nicola Coupe
£50
Adrian Dennehy
£50
James Cottle
£42.79
Jen & John Sutton
Proud to know you Amyas
£41.53
Dom Spencer
£41.53
Glyn Llewellyn
£41.53
Jon Binns
£41.53
Jg
Excellent. Inspiring.
£41.53
La Godfreys
Well done mate!
£41.53
Marsden
£40.15
Andrew Wassef
£38
Gareth Stone
£38
Chris Galpin
£33.15
Huw James
£33.15
Ewan Beck
Go Amyas!
£33.15
Richard Osborne
£32.92
Kirsty Baxter
£30.08
Martyn
Smash it Godders!
£30.08
Richard
Great effort Amyas, well done and thank you
£30.08
Anonymous
Shyabash!!!!! Amyas
£30.08
Persham Jones
Thank you for the quiz. Great cause.
£30.08
Kat K
Congratulations Amyas! What an incredible achievement. Also congrats to your beautiful dog who seems to have been a great trooper joining you on your training runs.
£30.08
Rob Cann
£30.08
John Ellis
£29.75
James Cowley
Fuckin' great effort.
£29.15
Uncle Nigel
Well done, Amyas, a wonderful objective.
£29.15
Kat Kosa
£29.15
Mr Ewan Richard Beck
£29.15
Jen And Terry Cano
£29.15
Stuart Biggers
£28
Kate
Phenomenal!
£28
Arjen Pietersma
Best of luck and huge respect for this challenge.
£27
Paul Stephenson
£27
Julie Stone
£27
Edward Hammock
£23.45
Rachael Curran
Delighted to support this amazing achievement and such a great cause. The pint at the end said it all!
£22.80
Mrs Emily E Hammick
£22.80
Iain Collingbourne
£22.80
Pylyp K
An amazing achievment Amyas, and for a wonderful cause.
£22.80
Erik Karlsson
£22.80
Paula Roughley
Amazing effort, inspiring!
£22.80
Neill Bayley
£21.84
Tom R
Best of luck buddy ….. as an ex sailor I still believe going to war is best done taking your bed / shower / slippers and comforts with you …. And if I have to run the ship is only 150mtrs long so swimming is a real option lol …. Hell of a challenge all the best
£21.84
Anonymous
£21.84
Tristan
£20 cash paid at pub
£21.84
Ewan H
Amyas, you like many others are doing a truly selfless thing for the benefit of others. Well done. You don’t need luck. Just lots of Haribo.
£21.36
Jb
You're mad, of course - but a great cause - well done A!
£20
Richard Westley
Well done Amyas!
£20
Giles And Sally Collins
Fantastic challenge for a great cause. Good luck, Amyas. I hope it all goes well…..
£17.10
Nick B (late Dwr)
Outstanding effort!
£15
Boo And Glyn
What a fantastic achievement 🥳
£15
Anonymous
£11.55
Anonymous
£11.55
Steve Tranter
Good Luck Amyas, I've done a few of these, and I know the dedication it takes to train in your spare time to do this. Good luck pal, train hard, fight easy!
£11.55
Rob Manuel
Good Luck Amyas
£11.55
Philip King
Go Amyas!
£11.55
David Howe
£11.55
Ron
Deep respect
£11.55
Tom Rowley
£11.55
Arthur And Joy Alexander
Keep up the good work, we follow you all the way xxxxx
£11.55
Paul Roberts
£11.33
Jane Nixon
£11.33
Chris Carlisle
I know you will smash this Boss. Top Fella.
£11.33
Joy Alexander
£11.31
Chrissy
Go Amyas!! Wishing you all the best in this latest challenge!
£10
Guy Neale
£10
D-j Gent
£10
Michael Read
Good luck Amyas
£10
Tristan
£20 cash paid at pub
£7.31
Jonathan Gaunt
£6.18
His Favourite Daughter Xxx
well doneeee!!
£6.18
Anonymous
£6.11
Andy
£5
Best Child
Well done daddy!
