Johnny Davies Challenge: Take (and run) the entire London Underground network (572km)

London Underground, 272 stations, 572 km and 11 different lines. On September 7, ultra-runner Jonny Davies will defy English city traffic and the famous Underground running from station to station for 11 consecutive days.. It will not be a timed challenge to beat the London Underground with speed, but an endurance challenge to recreate the same track as the underground trains on the roof. Davis actually raced the Victoria Line earlier this year, a test run for his crazy idea starting to take shape. The 14 stops that took him from Walthamstow Central to Brixton helped him understand changes in direction, how to manage traffic and how to avoid the people who cross the capital’s streets every day.

It took Davies 1 hour and 49 minutes to complete the Victoria Line, passing some of the city’s busiest junctions, such as King’s Cross and Oxford Circus. After the first 21 kilometers, there are no more doubts: his Run the Tube 2023 is now a reality. The strategy to follow is key, choosing the sequence in which to play the different lines. In fact, it goes from some sections averaging about 30km to the grueling 90km of the central line. Another difficulty in Challenge Days is the choice of times to cross London. In fact, if the rhythm of the city is more relaxed during the weekends, more pressure will be added on the working days with the slowdown due to commuters.

Driving and motivating Davies in this venture is the desire to somehow give back all the good he has been given thanks to racing. Starting to train and wear running shoes every day has helped him during what he describes as a very dark period. In his video presentation about Run the Tube 2023, Johnny talked about how running not only had a positive effect on his physical and mental health, but also allowed him to communicate and meet many people who share his passion and, in some cases, some of the difficulties he faces. For this reason, all funds raised during the challenge will go to CALM’s charity, Campaign Against Miserable Life, which deals with suicide prevention. According to data on the CALM website, there are an average of 125 suicides per week in the UK and 75% of cases are men. The organization hopes to reach as many people as possible by offering help and assistance and a year-round hotline to listen and offer support to those who are feeling vulnerable, going through a difficult time, or having suicidal thoughts. Through his social channels, Davies invited people to help him raise funds, to follow him in this endeavour, and perhaps even to accompany him on his walk from station to station. The contestant also actually jokes if Johnny Cash can Walk the line – Referring to the title of one of the American singer’s greatest hits – Johnny Davis is sure to run the line.