Elsey Davis: Cornwall Circuit Challenge

Her mum held her hand for the first steps. Now Elsey Davis runs with her mum in mind.
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In 2023, her mum was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s.

On September 29th 2025, Elsey took on something no one has done before: Running 400 miles around the entire perimeter of Cornwall, 60,000 ft of rugged coastline, to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research.
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“Running has been such a comfort and outlet for me during this challenging time, so it seems fitting, using my legs to raise money for something very close to my heart. The coastal path is easily accessible, so I would like to invite the local community to join me on sections. Especially other people or families impacted by Dementia. My family will join me for some of the running and I hope my mum will run the final mile”. Elsey Davis

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Photo credit: Will Harper-Penrose

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Expedition Overview

Day 1: Monday 29th September 2025

Lands End to Newquay

Distance: 103.2km

Ascent: +2987m

Descent: -2944m

Daily Diary: Elsey completed stage one in 12 hours 24 minutes and certainly looked in great shape and high spirits as she strode into Newquay this evening.

The sun was out most of the day, with little head wind which meant the conditions were near perfect for The North Face athlete.

She is now resting and recovering in her van with the team and no doubt is preparing for stage two. Elsey will set off from her finish point at 5am in the morning which will be a 111km with nearly 4000m of elevation.

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Photo credit: Rich Gill

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Day 2: Tuesday 30th September 2025

Newquay to Bude

Distance: 111.1km

Ascent: +3970m

Descent: -3978m

Daily Diary: Elsey has had a great second day following the cornish coastline from Fistral Beach, Newquay to Bude.

She competed the second stage in a remarkable 14 hours and 17 minutes, and this was her biggest test yet, going into her unknown. The weather was once again on her side, with Elsey starting the day at 5.15am from the car park donned with head torches, as she and her team, set off.

One of the highlights of her journey today was catching a short ferry ride from Padstow to Rock which runs every 30 minutes and as we waited, Elsey and Chris Taylor (her logistics challenge lead) sprinted down the harbour to make the next ferry, which meant she didn't have to wait for the next one and waste precious time.

Elsey moved one and was supported at various stages from friends and family. She completed the stage to Bude, under the stars and with a warm welcome from some friends and the team.

Tomorrow she goes again.
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Photo credit: Rich Gill

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Day 3: Wednesday October 1st 2025

Bude to Calstock

Distance: 107.1km

Ascent: +2647m

Descent: -2662m

Daily Diary: Elsey started in Bude and made her way north, up the final stretch of the Cornish coastline before the sun came up and then headed inland.

She completed stage 3 in a brilliant 13 hours 50 minutes.

322km or 200 miles exactly means she is half way, and Elsey will be the first to admit, this stage was tough. This was mainly due to the relentless sections of hard pack trail, roads and farm fields that follow the Tamara Coast to Coast route. Those early coastal sea view cliff paths were yesterday's news, so Elsey had to dig deep mentally today.

Her crew and support continued to guide and help her through, but her silent yet, fluid motion of running and hiking the hills meant she finished in Calstock by the Tamara River just as the sun set, where emotions were high.

Tomorrow is Stage 4, where she journeys west of Plymouth, finishing in Fowey.

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Photo credit: Rich Gill

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Day 4: Thursday October 2nd 2025

Calstock to Fowey

Distance: 100km

Ascent: +2674m

Descent: -2679m

Daily Diary: Could this day be as hard mentally as yesterday?
Elsey once again started at around 5.15am as the streets of Calstock were sleeping.

She completed stage 4 in another superb time of 13 hours 29 minutes.

Yet another 60+ mile day finishing off the Tamara path in Plymouth, where the sea meets the Tamara River, this winding and relentless boarder section was finished and Elsey continued her coastal trail routes by the English Channel which certainly lifted her spirits.

"Everything hurts", but her spirit and determination is becoming stronger by the hour. The support from her wife, Sarah, was incredible today, as the two ran together for almost 40 miles, with her father Martin, sharing some miles too.

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Photo credit: Rich Gill

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Day 5: Friday October 3rd 2025

Fowey to St Anthony's

Distance: 70.49km

Ascent: +3500m

Descent: -2953m

Daily Diary: The south Coastline of Cornwall and mother nature provided Elsey with some challenges today.

As if running nearly 500kms already wasn't hard enough, Elsey has battled with the physical and mental fatigue for days now, and the rugged and unforgiving terrain at times has been testing. Until today the weather has been fair to her, but, with rain, sea mist and a strong head wind to contend with, Elsey faced the elements head on!

The North Face athlete made her way south from Fowey to St Anthony's head over peaks, through troughs and bracing string winds but one thing remains ever present throughout all this, her strong mindset and endeavour to see this through.
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Photo credit: Will Harper-Penrose

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Day 6: Saturday October 4th 2025

St Anthony's to Porthleven

Distance: 75km

Ascent: +4319m

Descent: -3168m

Daily Diary: The penultimate day has been conquered by the incredible Elsey Davis. So far she has covered 569km and climbed 24,581m of elevation

Elsey and her team decided to shorten the day and complete the mission on Sunday, given that today's mission was still huge with some hefty climbs mixed in.
Spirits were high today, and Elsey can small that finish into Lands End, where she started on Monday morning at 5am.

Today was also made better as some of Elsey's closest friends , sister and wife sarah joining her for most of the trails. The strong head winds from Storm Amy made it another tough day, but the scenes from Falmouth to Porthleven were spectacular.

Please show your support, even better, join her on her final leg of the Circuit of Cornwall.

Elsey we are very proud of you.

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Photo credit: Will Harper-Penrose

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Day 7: Sunday October 5th 2025

Porthleven to Land's End

Distance: 75km

Ascent: +4319m

Descent: -3168m

Daily Diary: Elsey Davis has just become the first person to run the entire perimeter of Cornwall.

It took Elsey 6 days and 8 hours in total, covering 384.1 miles or 618.45km
Within that, the total elevation was 87,644 feet or 26,746 meters.

"I have never been more broken but somehow I am the most whole I have felt in a long time"

A target of £20,000 is nearly achieved also, with the total standing currently at £17,398.

This event was supported by her main sponsor, The North Face and SportsShoes.

Thank you for your support, we are immensely proud of you Elsey Whyman-Davis.

What A Journey.
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Photo credit: Will Harper-Penrose

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Track and View Elsey's Challenge here

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Elsey is raising money for Alzheimer’s Research so that treatment and support for those affected by Alzheimer’s is better in the future.

Click here to donate

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Keep your eyes on SportsShoes Outdoors and our SportsShoes Strava Run Club for more coverage of challenges like this in the future.

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