Ella's Homerun

In June 2015 we ran 400 miles over 16 days from Edinburgh to London. We raised over £30,000 for Ella's Home, a safe house for women who have been trafficked.

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Amazing Airbnb Accommodation

One of the best bits about our run across the country was turning up each night to a different home and the incredible hospitality and kindness we were shown by our hosts.  There were a few nights where we stayed with friends in different parts of the country, but for the most part our accommodation was given to us freely through generous Airbnb hosts.  We loved the places we stayed and therefore wanted to share the links to them below. 

Day 0: We stayed in a gorgeous flat in Edinburgh, right in the city centre. It was ideal for our first night as we settled our nerves and prepared for the journey ahead: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/336457

Day 1: After our first run we finished in Stow and then drove to this wonderful Farmhouse nearby in Oxton. We were greeted by our kind hosts Patricia and Angus and the dogs. A totally stunning location, we only wish we’d had more time there to meet the pet lambs:  https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1350867

Day 2 of the run we ended up in Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders.  Here we stayed at a truly spectacular location in an eco home, built from scratch by our host, Mike. We were so grateful to Mike for his welcome and his humour. Again, it was a shame to have to leave so soon, but run on we must:   https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/5103313

Day 3: We ran into Otterburn and then we were just a short distance from yet another beautiful location, this stunning B n B, Rothley Lake House: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1983979?euid=add7afdd-d768-97ef-ee30-594f5b9fd907

Day 4: We continued with our great run of amazing accommodation with this lovely little B n B in Hexham, Northumberland: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/874899

Day 5: We loved staying in this beautiful and comfortable cottage in Wolsingham, 15 miles from Durham City: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/6421456?s=Bho0

Day 9:  After a few days being hosted by friends as we made our way down the country, Day 9 we were again staying with another amazing Airbnb host. We stayed in the lovely and peaceful home of our host in South Yorkshire: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/4269668

Day 10: We enjoyed staying with our kind hosts at the gorgeous Anston Hall. We loved the three dogs, especially Ted, who made us feel very welcome!  https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/3296309

Day 11: In Nottingham we were hosted by Tim.  Tim made us a big meal that night and joined us the next day for a 30 mile run: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/505862

Day 13: It was so great to turn up to this incredible cabin in Grafham. Beautiful area and comfortable place to stay. https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/2905426?euid=6b39de15-1d13-afb4-4a50-c40b449efb7c#neighborhood

Day 14: The night before the final day of our run was spent at the home of some friends, so day 14 was the last night we were hosted by an Airbnb host.  And we couldn’t have asked for a nicer place. Set in beautiful Hertfordshire countryside was this gorgeous barn, with plenty of space. Again, if we had more time, it would have been lovely to stay longer to make use of the swimming pool!  https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/5323005?euid=52fbe06b-b805-4f44-75f3-aea64015f681

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The final weekend of our 400 mile run from Edinburgh to London. We were joined by so many amazing people to get us through to the end.

We've raised over £30,000 with gift aid.  There are so many people to thank, our support team being the main one - the hidden heroes, and everyone who followed our progress and sent messages of support. Ella's Home will be opening later this year, a safe house for women who have experienced trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Thank you.

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The final 10km team looking strong! #ellashomerun #team #running #london

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We've just hit the £30,000 with gift aid. I can't quite believe it all yet, yesterday was amazing. There are so many people to thank, our support team being the main one - the hidden heroes, and everyone who followed our progress and sent messages of support. Thanks to all the support and money this amazing lady Emily can now get on with what she intended to do, open a safe house for women who deserve and need it. #ellashomerun #wow #400miles #done #thankyou (at Shoreditch Park)

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A talented friend joined us yesterday to film and has put together this video for us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j10ob_ZOJfk

Please spread the word and donate here as we run our last day!

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=ellashomerun#_=_

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The start line of our penultimate day, joined by this amazing bunch to bring us into St Albans. Can't say thankyou enough!! Now bring on TOMORROW!!! #ellashomerun #startline #staypositive #fundraising #charity #stalbans #gogogo #final #running (at City of St Albans)

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Coming into the final stretch of the run, running through lots of beautiful countryside towards Bedford. Sadly Emily is still injured so had to sit out sections. Bring on the final 2 days now!!

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Our latest update from the run, these few days we've continued to have great company to encourage, distract and entertain us. We've been dealing with injury, and sadly Emily has had to sit out some sections due to injury in her left leg. Counting down our last few days into London now!

We are still running, so please donate... http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=ellashomerun#_=_

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We've been amazed at the wonderful places we've stayed along our route from Edinburgh to London. It's been part of the adventure turning up to a new place every night. We're so very grateful to all our wonderful airbnb hosts for their hospitality. #airbnb #ellashomerun #uk

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An update from the weekend of running. Great to have people joining us to help get us through despite aches and pains, an emotional and inspirational weekend!

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We have seen some really beautiful parts of the UK during the Homerun. Day 4 complete, off for a freezing cold bath (that I am totally used to now and can sit in for ages) 3 days left... #ellashomerun #running #cominghome #challenge #uk

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Weekend running in Yorkshire Days 7 - 9

Posted by Emily

There's so much to update on but as we've mentioned there's always a lot to do when we get back from a run, eat, stretch, icebath, hot shower, rest, and repeat. We continue to thrive on your support however, and it is sincerely the only way we have managed to continue.  

We'd like to fill you in on highlights from all of the days and  definitely want to give a shout out to all our hosts but due to time we'll stick with the highlights from the weekend and come back at a later time with other details.  

Friday was an extremely tough day. Rachel had been very unwell with a nasty cold. Despite how she felt she struggled on for over 12 miles, when it was impossible for her to go further she stopped at a village while Steve and I carried on to complete the further 15 miles for that day in the sunshine. Our support vehicle also had to go in for repair too! However it was all ok once we picked up by the marvellous Ellen and arrived at Emily's friend, Andrea's home to a lovely welcome and a good meal of carbs and protein. 

The next day was much more positive, with great enthusiasm at having other people join and lift our spirits for the day.  We were joined by Rachel's uncle, Pete, a running guru. Steve also had company with Ali, Rachel's aunt cycling alongside and cheering support.  When we got to Tollerton 12 miles down the road we were met by friends, Kate and Andrew who had travelled up to York for the weekend to run with us.  Rachel's cousin, Elizabeth also joined in at this stage. It was fun to be running with a big group and it was along this stretch that we saw a sign on the railway - 200 miles to Edinburgh, an emotional moment seeing how far we've come.

It was a relief as always when our destination sight, York Minster, came into view in the distance. It was one of our best finishes yet, as we got into the city centre with it only metres away, we sprinted towards the Minster, right up onto to the steps with the bells ringing, it was an iconic and emotional place to reach on our halfway day. It had been a great run, 23.7 miles in total.

Later that afternoon we got back to have a sports massage by Vicky. Her friend Lisa had known about our run through a personal connection and brought Vicky along. It was so lovely to meet these women and Vicky worked her magic on our tired legs. I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in my left foot which had onset that day, a common running injury and something Rachel had suffered with in training,  It's very painful to walk on the foot with this, but Vicky assured me  it would be ok to keep running on it. 

The next morning, Sunday, I could barely walk across the room and I really thought that it was going to be impossible for me to run that day, however, I got ready wanting to give it my best shot. Rachel and I both had our calf muscles rolled in a new and excruciatingly painful technique by Pete, Rachel's uncle who would be joining us again for the day. 

Also joining us were Lisa, Vicky and Elizabeth, thinking they would run half the distance, and a little crowd of well wishers, I hobbled along to our start point. I really didn't think I was going to manage to run but with Vicky's reassurance that the foot would loosen, I began.  If you watch our latest video you'll be able to see my hobbling at the start of day 9.  Pete kindly stayed with me as I tried my best to run, and sure enough after a couple of miles of discomfort I felt my foot begin to loosen and work with movement again. With every mile that passed I was amazed I was still running. Vicky continued to encourage me and even help massage out a pain that developed in my left shoulder, I told her  she was like my running angel!  I would never ever have continued that day if I hadn't had the encouragement of her, Lisa and Pete and their belief that I would be able to run through those aches and pains. It was so great for both of us to have others to talk with to help pass the time and views!  Vicky put on a playlist on her phone and we were all soon running and singing along  to some great rock anthems.  With about 5 miles left to run we were joined by Andrea (our host in York) and her friend Kate.  From there we all made our way in the drizzle to the end point.  Vicky and Lisa who had joined us at the beginning of that run continued with us right to the end. Neither of them had expected to be running a full marathon when they left their homes that morning, but they both did the full 26.2 miles. It was remarkable achievement all round and especially wonderful for Lisa who ran her first marathon! The whole team were a big part of the reason Rachel and I were able to keep going on that day. 

That evening after our marathon into Askern Rachel, Steve, Ellen and I were back to our small team of four and made our way to our next host, Shona's beautiful home in Doncaster. https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/4269668

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Day 10! Off we go... #ellashomerun #running #go #10 #countdown

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A very painful start to the day, thanks to Uncle Pete! No pain no gain...?! #ellashomerun #challenge #pain #running #ouch #hardcore

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Its taken so long to post another video! Its been long days trying to get through hills and injuries. Then evenings we have dealt with muscles, collapsed to sleep or not had the internet to upload! Here are some snippets from day 3, 4 and 5. Thanks again for all your support, we had a great day today running into York with some fresh faces to keep us going, video to come soon!

Starting our final week, can't wait to see lots of your faces a week tomorrow...

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WE MADE IT TO YORK!!! Half way! Couldn't be happier to have seen the Minster as we approached York today. This bunch got us there, such a great support today - huge thankyou team!! #ellashomerun #thankyou #york #minster #cominghome #running #challenge (at York)

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Hardcore! Day 6 done! Just a short 20 miler today into Darlington. It was so much easier than yesterday which was a relief (a lot fewer hills). We're hardcore only due to all the support we've been given - so thankful for all your encouragement!