Teen becomes youngest known woman to run length of GB

An 18-year-old has become the youngest known woman to run the length of Great Britain.

Phoebe Harris, a student at Lord Wandsworth College near Hook, Hampshire, ran more than 1,000 miles (1,609km) from John O'Groats to Land's End in 68 days.

The challenge, which began on 20 June and ended on Wednesday, has seen her raise about £5,000 for two charities, while also receiving three A grades in her A-levels.

Phoebe said: "I've loved being out in nature and experiencing all the different towns, landscapes and cultures along the way.

"It's been amazing to see what I'm capable of by completing something that I've always dreamed of doing."

Prior to her run, the youngest female understood to have completed the length of Britain was Imogen Boddy, who achieved the feat aged 22 in 2022.

Phoebe's achievement cannot be verified as an official Guinness World Record, because the organisation does not monitor a youngest category for the challenge due to age restrictions on endurance-based records.

She took up endurance running four years ago and began with a school fundraising run at Lord Wandsworth College.

In 2024, she received an autism diagnosis and said running had become a form of therapy, away from the "busy" world.

"It's just one of the few times I think where you're doing something and you're like, I'm just doing it because it's fun, not because nobody is like making me do it," she said.

"And it's definitely really helped me kind of clear my mind."

Phoebe said she wanted to do the "longest challenge" possible with her dad, and was motivated to try and "beat the record".

During the challenge, she raised money for the National Autistic Society and the Lord Wandsworth Foundation, which supports children who have lost the support of a parent, primarily through bereavement.

Phoebe's father, Chris, ran alongside her throughout the journey as she prepared to leave for university.

He said: "We've spent weeks together talking for hours, laughing, getting through difficult days and sharing experiences that neither of us will ever forget.

"With Phoebe about to head off to university and begin a completely new chapter of her life, I know I'll never get this particular period of her life back.

"When I called this adventure the gift of time before we started, I don't think I fully understood just how valuable that gift would be."

Lord Wandsworth College head Adam Williams said Phoebe embodied the values of "character, mastery and a true sense of adventure".

He added: "She's been an inspiration to all of us at the college and we couldn't be prouder of everything that both Phoebe and Chris have achieved."

Phoebe, who secured a place to study medicine at university, found out she has gained three A grades in her A-levels while running. She said she hoped to become a sports doctor in the future.

Phoebe said she had beaten her £4,000 fundraising target by about £1,000.