Exeter’s ‘Banker on the Run’ prepares to complete 200 marathons in 200 days

Exeter is preparing to celebrate 65-year-old Steve James’ achievement of running 200 marathons in 200 days. 

Steve, known locally as the “Banker on the Run,” is expected to complete his final marathon in Topsham at around 3pm on Saturday 1 November, returning to the town where his journey began in April. If successful, he will become the first person over 60 to run the entire mainland coastline of Britain.

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Steve, who trained on Dartmoor and lives in Devon with his family, set off from Topsham on 16 April and has since run for around six hours every day, covering thousands of miles in often harsh weather conditions. 

Throughout the challenge he has stayed in a camper van or local accommodation, and has battled blisters, footpath diversions and even a gout flare-up that required a visit to A&E. Now back in Devon, his progress is being followed closely on Instagram at @bankerontherun, as local residents and supporters prepare to welcome him home.

His challenge has also become a unique scientific study. Researchers from the University of Exeter’s Sport and Health Sciences department have been monitoring Steve before, during and throughout his journey to understand how extreme endurance affects the human body, particularly in older adults. 

Dr Freyja Haigh, who has led the research, will be in Topsham to meet Steve at the finish line. She said earlier in the challenge that his effort “challenges stereotypes of ageing and gives us a rare insight into how an older body adapts to this kind of endurance,” adding that she has seen no harmful effects so far in his health data.

Steve has spoken openly about the physical and mental demands of the journey but says the support from his wife, five children and the wider Devon community has kept him going. He said reaching the halfway point earlier this year was “a milestone I could only have dreamt of,” and hopes his challenge inspires others, especially older people, to push their limits. His journey is also raising money for Cancer Research UK, a charity close to his heart.

Speaking to Exeter Today, Steve said that: “It’s been a wonderful journey around our beautiful coastline but I’m now ready to come home and looking forward to making it back to Topsham Quay and a well deserved rest.” 

Adding to this, Steve said that he has been “raising money for Cancer Research UK and Devon & Exeter Scouts. The latter is very important to me as I was previously Chairperson of Exeter Scouts. There are over 5000 children and young people in the Scout Movement in Devon. Every penny raised helps these youngsters thrive.”

“To everyone who has supported me on this journey, especially a considerable number from Exeter, then a massive thank you as it has provided so much motivation.” 

Local runners, residents and supporters are expected to gather in Topsham on 1 November to mark his return.