A footpath that stops without warning ends a coastal run. I have hit that point many times, turned around and run the same stretch back. Today, on day 2135 of my daily running streak, I ran on the King Charles III English Coastal Path. This is what I learned.

What the King Charles III English Coastal Path is

The news I received is this. Significant funding has gone into making the full coastline of England walkable. The aim is a continuous footpath around the coastal edge of the country. I saw the signs today confirming the England Coast Path, so I know the path is officially open.

I am not an official source, so treat my summary with care. I believe Wales already has a coastal path in place. I think Scotland is still in progress, though I might be mistaken. The long-term aim, as I understand it, is a path around the whole mainland of the UK. Check the official guidance before you plan a route.

What the path looked like today

Be realistic about this. The path I ran on is not a beautiful promenade all the way round. I could see the sea, and the surface was a normal footpath. Some sections still need finishing, and some parts mean walking along the beach. From the information I have, those sections are short.

Why this matters to me as a runner

When I visit the coast, I look for the promenade or the coastal path first. The sea air and the views are the reason. The frustration comes when the path disappears, the footpath ends, or the route forces me over the beach.

As a barefoot-style runner, I notice surface changes more than most. I run in Vibram FiveFingers, so every change underfoot reaches me straight away. Soft sand slows the pace and changes the load on my feet and calves. A continuous footpath means I can hold a steady rhythm and keep my form. Rhythm is the whole point of daily running.

The length of the route

Someone will want to run or walk the whole of it. My guess is a couple of months, and this is only a guess. The path follows the edge of the mainland instead of going from point to point, so the distance is far greater than a straight line between two towns. I am not planning to do it. My own route is 40,075km, and I am already on it.

The lesson for me

This path did not appear in a day. Funding came first, then planning, then signs and surfaces, and then the gaps were closed one at a time. A few gaps remain, and the work continues. Nobody has declared it perfect. The path is open, and the remaining work goes on while people use it.

My running streak works the same way. I do not wait for perfect conditions. I run on the day, in whatever weather and with whatever energy I have, and I close the gap between where I am and where I want to be by one run. Consistency matters more than intensity. A route that exists and gets used beats a perfect route that stays on a map.

Perspective matters here too. A path built for everyone is a public good. Anyone can use it, from a child on a family walk to a hiker on a multi-week trip. Access like this changes who gets outside. I think about children often when I run, and the reason for this vlog is to save children's lives. The more outdoor space is open to people, the better.

Where the mission stands

Today is day 2135. My total distance is 16,405.17km, which leaves 23,669.83km to complete a lap of the world at 40,075km. I am doing this barefoot style, filming a vlog every day, and raising £1M for children's causes. The daily vlog is the fundraiser. More people watching means more people hearing the mission, so I post every single day.

If you walk, hike or run the coast

Tell me which sections of the England Coast Path you have used. Tell me where the path ends, where you hit the beach, and which stretches are worth the trip. I will use your notes on my next coastal run. If you want to follow the mission, watch the full episode, subscribe and share it with one person who loves the coast.

I will be back tomorrow for day 2136.

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/M4R7X9B7xIM