Jock Catto (5.15-20) has completed an epic 500 mile run from France to Spain to raise money for Young Minds in memory of his friend James Pickering (5.15-22).
Jock started his challenge last month, setting off from St Jean Pied de Port in France on Saturday 4th May, running over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles. He ran the 484.7 miles to Santiago de Compostela in just 17 days (which included having to take a day off because of food poisoning halfway through his run).
On average Jock ran 28.5 miles a day, carrying a 5kg pack on his back. He was without warm clothing so had to improvise by using socks as gloves on his hands when he reached Cruz de Ferro (the highest point on the Camino) because apart from being so cold, it was also snowing!
The route is an ancient pilgrimage foot-route leading to the shrine of the apostle James in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain. Over 300,000 trekkers complete this world-famous trail each year.
Apart from doing this epic run as a personal challenge, Jock was also raising money in memory of James Pickering for the Young Minds charity, as well remembering his friend Josh Baker (SH.16-21) who passed away as Jock flew to France to start the race, and who was in his thoughts throughout.
If you are able to support Jock’s fundraising for Young Minds, please visit his fundraising page here.