Dan Lawson sets out on Land’s End to John o’ Groats record attempt, urging runners to look to their own countries for adventures

Dan Lawson decides to stop flying for environmental reasons and has a new-found appreciation for the adventures on his own doorstep

He runs one of the longest routes in the UK hoping to break the nine-day record by eating clean and keeping on moving

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English ultramarathon runner Dan Lawson conquering the 2017 Ultra Gobi. Now Lawson refuses to fly for environmental reasons. Photo: Lloyd Belcher Visuals

Published: 4:28pm, 6 Aug 2020Updated: 4:28pm, 6 Aug 2020

Dan Lawson has run in every corner of the world. The UK-based, jet-setting ultra runner claimed medals in far flung landscapes like his gold in the 400km Ultra Gobi and fifth at Gaoligong by UTMB in China. He even spent every winter in India, but then he had a crisis of conscience and it all changed.

“In the UK we're really good at hiding things. You never see that much rubbish because we pile it in landfill. But in India, I went for a run and the amount of rubbish on the run was just hideous,” he said.

“Piles and piles of rubbish. Usually you run in the morning you come back and you're exhilarated, in a positive mood, ready for the day. But I was crying, I was so upset about what we were doing to our world. It’s not just India, it’s just not hidden there.”

One of the ways Lawson decided to help the environment was to stop flying. Firstly, two years ago, he started turning down race invitations to race abroad, and has not stepped on a plane in nine months.

“I’ve definitely felt torn. Every time I get an invite I think ‘oh my God, that would be amazing’. That is your first reaction, but then your mind kicks in and you think is this worth it?” Lawson, 47, said.