Elsey Davis to Attempt Fastest Known Time Running 400 Miles Around Cornwall

Published On: 23 September 2025Last Updated: 23 September 2025By CornishStuff

📷 Credit Will Harper-Penrose.

On 29th September, Elsey Davis from Camelford will attempt something that has never been done before. The professional trail runner is aiming to complete a 400-mile lap of Cornwall, covering 60,000ft of elevation — more than twice the height of Everest — in just a week.

Elsey, who races for The North Face, is taking on the challenge to raise awareness and money for Alzheimer’s Research UK after her mum was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s in 2023.

The 36-year-old plans to run around 100km (63 miles) each day, which will mean around 16 hours of running daily.

📷Elsey and her mum

The risks ahead

With autumn storms approaching, Elsey knows she could face winds of up to 60mph, along with heavy rain and tough conditions that bring risks of blisters, swollen feet and fatigue. Despite never attempting anything on this scale before, she says her reason for doing it will keep her going.

“Anything could happen, but doing it for my mum is going to make it that bit easier,” she said.

Why Cornwall?

Originally Elsey had planned to run the entire South West Coast Path, but she explained how the idea changed:

“Originally, I wanted to run the whole of the southwest coast path but then a friend sent me the circuit of Cornwall FKT and the chance to loop around my home country appealed so much more,” she said.

“I wanted to do something big and scary, beyond anything I have ever done before since I have a strong driving force and reason — doing it for my mum and raising money for Alzheimer’s.

“I mostly feel excited for the challenge and making a difference the best way I can – with my feet so that anyone else going through this cruel disease, now and in the future, has better support and better treatments.

“And when the tough moments come on the run, and I am sure they will, I will remind myself of my ‘why’ and the fact that I am privileged to be able to do this.”

📷Credit Will Harper-Penrose.

A runner with world-class experience

As well as being a leading trail runner, Elsey is a recently qualified GP. She lives in Cornwall with her wife and their newborn son Victor.

She first discovered her passion for trail running during the Covid pandemic while working on the wards in Manchester. Since then, she has built an impressive record with seven wins, 10 podiums, multiple course records and the Fastest Known Time for the Bob Graham Round.

Recently she competed in the global UTMB series against the world’s best, but this latest challenge will be one of her most personal.

“Physically this may be the hardest thing I’ve ever done but nothing’s as scary as my mum’s diagnosis, so I’m not really scared of the challenge – I’m excited,” she said.

The journey ahead

The run will start at Land’s End and follow the entire perimeter of Cornwall before finishing back where it began. Most of the running will take place in daylight, with rest and recovery at night before setting off again the next morning.

“The most I’ve ever run in one week is about 110 miles. I have a plan to do a certain amount each day, and the hope is to do it in less than seven, but I don’t know how I’m going to feel having never been in that position before,” said Elsey.

“What the disease has taught me is that you must make memories while you can and live presently. I have faith that is going to get me round and doing it for my mum is going to make it that bit easier.”