In December 2019, Ben Dobson was diagnosed with a sarcoma (rare cancer) in the right side of his face. In March 2025 and cancer-free, Ben started running 2,853 miles around the UK to raise £10,000 for Macmillan cancer support.
‘Throughout my long, complicated cancer treatment, Macmillan cancer support provided a constant lifeline for my family and me. Such was my gratitude, I felt I had to pay them back and started looking for an appropriate challenge to raise £10,000.’
So Ben decided, trained and planned to run solo and unsupported from Los Angeles to New York. A distance of 2,853 miles. Two months before Ben was due to travel to the States, disaster struck when he fell ill and was unable to travel abroad.
‘I was devastated. Over six months of detailed planning, gone.’
Instead of abandoning the challenge, Ben set about doing the same mileage around the UK. To date he has run the South-west coast path, Pembrokeshire coast path, North and South Downs way, Thames path, Cotswold way, Greensand Way, King Alfred’s way to name a few and has endured a dislocated shoulder in Cornwall and cut feet crossing estuaries in Devon.
He has completed 2,310 miles with just over 500 miles left to do and has raised £7,800. He plans to finish in early December at the White Hart in Witley.
Please support Ben if you can here.
Instagram: @benrunsamerica
