From Flatlands to Sheer Climb: The Most Insane 7.2 Kilometres I’ve Ever Run

Let me hit you with a stat that’ll stop you scrolling: today I tackled 240 metres of elevation, jammed into just 7.2km. For context – that’s double the elevation gain of marathons I’ve done, crammed into a distance six times shorter! My legs are still burning as I type this, but the memory is burned in for good.

Runpreneur Challenge – not just a streak, but a global mission that stretches towards 40,075km (that’s right, once around the world) and beyond Day 4,292, all to raise one million pounds for children’s causes.

Spain’s Whitewashed Hills: A Stunning, Savage Playground

Today, the backdrop was the dazzling Ferreira de la Frontera, south of Cadiz. It’s postcard-perfect – whitewashed houses clinging to the hillside, views that stretch for miles, and sun beating down. But don’t let the beauty fool you – this run is a brute. There was barely a patch of flat ground the entire way. Downhill one minute, clawing back up a mountain the next. And when you’re lap-running, every ‘blessed’ stretch of downhill is just a grim promise of uphill pain around the corner.

The Technical Challenge: Off-Road, On Edge

Parts of the course went off-road, which means your foot placement is everything. When your legs are already screaming on a 45-degree incline or testing their strength on a rough descent, one misstep can spell disaster. Trust me, it’s as much mental as physical.

Hill Running Hits Different – Even for Marathoners!

Here’s a wild comparison: the two marathons I recently ran only featured 150–175 metres of total elevation over 42.2km. To go beyond that, in a fraction of the distance? That’s next-level. Normally at home, a 7.2km run might see me tackle less than 5m elevation total – sometimes even zero. So today’s run, in every sense, was an eye-opener.

How Did It Feel? Brutal, Beautiful, and Totally Worth It

I was running with my son, Leo, who’s in his pre-season football training, and honestly, we took it slow. Why? Because you have to. Extreme elevation is humbling. If you’re not prepared, it’ll chew you up and spit you out. Every step up was like climbing stairs, but outside, and every step down battered my already-tired quads. Still, there’s a sense of achievement you just can’t fake.

I finished shattered but smiling, taking in panoramic views that made the pain worth it.

Tips If You’re Tackling Elevation For the First Time

• Take it slow and steady. Your body needs time to adapt.

• Focus on form, especially downhill. Control is everything.

• Ease into it. Don’t jump from flat runs straight into almost-mountainous terrain.

Why Am I Doing This?

Because every day of this challenge pushes me closer to the real goal: £1,000,000 for children who need saving. Every run, every elevation, every drop of sweat is about making a difference.

If you believe in saving lives, hit Subscribe, Share this post, and leave a comment or question below – I always respond to anything relevant. The bigger this grows, the more children we save.

Stay positive, stay happy – and the next time you see a pretty hill, remember: there’s a whole lot of storey, sweat and purpose up there.

Join me tomorrow for the next adventure, and let’s keep pushing the limits – together.

Keywords: Elevation Running, Runpreneur Challenge, Hill Running, Spanish Running Diary, Barefoot Ultra Marathon, Running with Purpose, Fundraising for Children’s Charities, Extreme Running Challenge, Run Streak UK, Marathon Elevation Gain