Marcus Delaney

Mission Yomp

On the 7 - 8 June 2025, I am joining Team Oracle to take part in the "Cateran Yomp". It's a 54-mile hike in 24 hours across rural Perthshire, all in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF). Founded in 1944, the ABF provide vital support to soldiers, veterans and their immediate families in their time of need.

I love getting outside and walking, especially with my two dogs (Wolfie the spaniel and Nyx the golden retriever) so I'm sure they will help me with my training. It will be tough and there will be ups and downs along with way (literally!!), but in the back of my mind I will keep reminding myself of the objective, to raise funds for this great cause, so please please do give generously, and thank you for all your support.

See my daily updates below for what I've been up to on my training journeys ...

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My Updates

14/05 PM - (T-23) : Band practice

I did a 13K run where my loop included a brief stop by Howe Park Wood to say hello to the Frog Marchers (just a name I've given them!) as they do their early morning band practice. They were a bit rusty though!

13/05 PM - (T-24) : Woody walk

Even at 7 o'clock It was still very hot so decided to go to the woods for a walk. These woods have not featured in this blog thus far, but they really are a gem, out of the way and very quiet so nice and comfortable off the lead. I did just under 5K but if the doggies had Strava, I reckon they will have each done double that. They both usually go up on ahead but here is a nice shot of Nyx returning and checking in with me, that I'm still there!

12/05 PM - (T-25) : Dusk walk

Waited for the temperature to drop before going out for a 7K walk with the dogs. The sunsets on the west side of MK always offer nice views.

12/05 AM - (T-25) : Turn the volume up to maximum !!

The route for my early morning 12K run took me down to Bletchley and past the home of Marshall Amplifications, where they have been based since 1967.

11/05 - (T-26) : Wolverton - Royal Train Shed

A walk around the nature reserve on the outskirts of Wolverton, completing the loop via the canal. Even though it was early evening, it was still very warm, and the dogs took the opportunity to cool off in the river.

My route took me past this building (although its not the best photo) close to Wolverton station. Wolverton has a long railway heritage and this building used to house the Royal Train from 1963 until 1991. The building has since been converted into residential use.

10/05 - (T-27) : Pangea Day Pillar @ Milton Keynes Rose - Campbell Park

I've run past Milton Keynes Rose a few times on my 10K loops. It comprises a series of pillars, each engraved with specific day marking a specific event. Having read up a little beforehand, I noticed there was one for the 10th May, so I went in search of it, and here it is. Follow these links to find out more about the Milton Keynes Rose and what Pangea Day is ...

https://miltonkeynesrose.org.uk/

https://miltonkeynesrose.org.uk/pillars/10-may-pangea-day/

https://gordonyoung.info/mkrose/

09/05 - (T-28) : Just a walk to the shop

Working overnight on a project go-live event and have been preparing for that so just a walk to the local shop to pick up something for dinner.

Went past our local church which was bathed in the evening sun, and sporting its relatively new flag.

08/05 PM - (T-29) : Journey home

Tube's were up the spout so walked from Moorgate back to Euston. Got a little bit lost around the Barbican estate but did spot a photo opportunity of this soldier silhouette and Union Jack.

08/05 AM - (T-29) : 80 Years Since VE Day

Caught the early train from MK into Euston so I could do some boot drawing on my way into the office.

07/05 - (T-30) : To the woods

Different woods to the ones posted about before. A very tranquil location.

"Now where has that Wolfie got to, he was here a moment ago?"

06/05 PM - (T-31) : An evening walk

A 7K loop into Loughton and past the Tear Drop Lakes, then into Furzton overlooking that lake and back home.

The photo is of the Roll Of Honour in the porch of the Memorial Hall in Loughton, which like the one in Shenley Church End, is a tribute to those who lost their lives in WW1. Again multiple people from the same family - gone.

06/05 AM - (T-31) : Smoothie Tuesday !!

After my big Chiltern's walk at the weekend, a gentle 5K run followed by a nice home made smoothie.

05/05 - (T-32) : Remembering the fallen

As we begin to mark 80 years since VE day, the end of WW2 in Europe, my walk took me past Shenley Church End War Memorial by Saint Mary's Church. It's a pillar in honour of those who lost their lives in the WW1.

Its poignant that of the names listed, several share the same surname.

04/05 - (T-33) : May the 4th Be With You

Greetings to all you Star Wars fans. A walk with Wolfie and Nyx past the Toot in Shenley Church End, a historical site that dates back to the Domesday survey of 1086.

03/05 - (T-34) : A big Chiltern’s loop

I wanted to do a walk along the Ridgeway in the Chilten's, so I did a bit of route planning to include various locations and some proper ascents.

With a 04:00 AM alarm call, I was soon on the road in the car heading to my start point. I arrived at Ivinghoe Beacon car park around 05:30 and had my orange juice, porridge and coffee. I started walking around 05:50, through the woods in Ashridge Estate and then into Aldbury (one of locations used for the famous 1967 film "The Dirty Dozen"). The carpets of bluebells were amazing. From there it was onto Tring and into Wendover Woods. There were wonderful far-reaching views at Coombe Hill Monument, before I stumbled across Chequers where I sat and had lunch. The furthest point south west I reached was Whiteleaf Hill (again with lovely views) before turning back, going via the canal (known locally as the Wendover Arm) through Halton and Pitstone before the final ascent to reach Ivinghoe Beacon.

The route was about 60K in total and took me 13 hours including stops. Over the distance the elevation gain was 1100m.

02/05 PM - (T-35) : It's Friday !!!

No tour of MK is complete without a visit to the concrete cows !! Wolfie was very much unconvinced of their credentials.

02/05 AM - (T-36) : Run with Wolfie

An 8K run with Wolfie into the woods and along the boundary trail (Swans Way). First time off lead lead while running as well, what a good boy he was - well done Wolfie (with just one pit stop!!). Track chosen by Spotify - Show Me The Way, by Peter Frampton.

01/05 - (T-37) : Walk

1st of the month so it feels like its getting closer now. Making the most of all the fine weather, an evening walk, through the woods and out into the open with some nice off lead exercise and a dip into the brook.

30/04 PM - (T-38) : Another walk to the office

Much better weather this week than last week. A 7 K walk from Euston to Moorgate, slightly indirect via Regents Canal towpath.

29/04 PM - (T-39) : An stroll in the evening sun

Did the reverse of the walk we did at the weekend along parts of the River Great Ouse and the Grand Union Canal, but with a minor tweak having researched the online map. Being out the way, there's very few people around. Stopped by the stream for some more fun in the water.

29/04 AM - (T-39) : 10 K morning run

A fairly decent time for a 10 K run. Part of the route took in the woods so had some nice cover, but out in the open towards the end it was really starting to warm up. Just to show I'm not faking by toodling around on an e-scooter, the picture is a sweaty me !!

28/04 - (T-40) : 40 days left to the yomp !!

An early morning dog walk before it gets too hot for them. 6 K around Lodge Lake.

Track for today : 40 days and 40 nights - Muddy Waters

27/04 PM - (T-41) : Afternoon splish splash

After the Stowe run, came home and had lunch, then took the dogs out for a walk along the canal and the river. They really enjoyed getting wet in the warm weather.

27/04 AM - (T-41) : Stowe 10 K

Myself and my good friend David did the Stowe National Trust gardens 10 K run (a monthly event since Autumn 2024). The weather was glorious. We stopped for a well earned snack in the cafe afterwards.

Well done to all the marathon runners in London and elsewhere too.

26/04 - (T-42) : Afternoon walk

An lovely afternoon walk the dogs with some nice off lead exercise time. Our route took us past the Reading Garden in Shenley. The mosaic was created as part of a project to celebrate our late Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

25/04 (T-43) : Early morning run

A 14K run up to Stony Stratford and back. The two signs in the picture are The Cock and The Bull inns which, according to folklore, is where the term "Cock and Bull Story" comes from ! Back in the day (way way back), people travelling along the old Roman Road Watling Street (now High Street) through the town would use the inns as a staging post, and when engaging with the locals they would tell rather imaginative tales of events from further afield, and so began a rivalry between the inns as to who had the best tale.

24/04 (T-44) : Evening sunset walk

A 10K loop with Wolfie and Nyx, heading out west of MK to catch the evening sunset. The picture is looking out west towards Whaddon and in the distance on the left with the backdrop of trees is the current Whaddon Hall, dating from 1820 and played a crucial role during WWII, handling ultra important signals intelligence - see you get a free history lesson here too !!

23/04 (T-45) : Wet, wet, wet

A trip to the office today, so just a walk to the station in the rain, but there are the escalators at the tube exits to get in a bit of elevation training ! And by the way, a happy St Georges Day.

22/04 (T-46) : Morning run

An 11K early morning run in the crisp spring sunshine.

21/04 (T-47) : Doggie walk in the drizzle

A trek to the local Go Outdoors with Wolfie and Nyx to do a recce for some of the kit I'll need for the yomp. The treats by the store entrance were welcomed after the walk from home in the drizzle.

20/04 (T-48) : Afternoon walk

Using mostly public footpaths, a 21K loop in the afternoon sun heading out to Whaddon, then towards Beachampton before heading back via Stony Stratford. Walking past the village hall in Whaddon, I saw the blue plaque shown above. The hall is said to have had a direct landline to Bletchley Park from which messages of ULTRA significance (Top Secret) were handled. Fascinating !

19/04 (T-49) : Late afternoon walk

A 6K loop around Stockgrove Country Park with the dogs. Beautiful weather. Wolfie and Nyx had lots of fun as you can tell.

18/04 (T-50) : Morning run

A run to Willen Lake and back, although needed to stop earlier than intended so managed 10K. Bumped into Isla coming the other way who was in the middle of a 12 mile run. Hope that went well Isla. A pretty good track that started my Spotify radio off with, Funky Kingston - Toots and The Maytals

17/04 - (T-51) : Pre-Easter walk

An 8K walk around the local area with Wolfie and Nyx, taking in Shenley Brook End, where the great Alan Turing was a resident during his time at Bletchley Park. It is said that upon the outbreak of war, he converted his savings into 2 silver bars that he buried in the local area, recording their locations in code. After the war, despite the genius that he was, he failed to locate the silver bars, and to this day they remain undiscovered ....

16/04 - (T-52) : Walk to the office

Why tube when you can walk!

An early start from MK into Euston, then a 12k walk to Moorgate, taking an indirect route and stopping by a few sights on the way. Loads of runners out, probably preparing for the marathon (good luck to you all).

15/04 PM - (T-53) : Evening walk

Should have checked the forecast as we got soaked half way through.

15/04 AM - (T-53) : 5k run

First run since the mega training walk at the weekend.

14/04 (T-54) : Walk around the park

A 6k loop into the park and around the redways. No lake diversions this time.

13/04 (T-55) : Just a doggie walk

After my mega trek yesterday, a 14K walk with the dogs, incorporated an extra loop to stop by the river so Nyx could wash off having gone in the lake.

12/04 (T-56) : My biggest walk ever (so far ...)

I did the Milton Keynes Parks Trust 30 Mile Challenge (no doggies this time). Although they say its a cycle route, I walked it. Filling up with porridge, I started out at 6am and it took me just over 9 hours to complete (I had a few stops on the way for 2nd breakfast and lunch!!). Comparing to what I'll face on the Yomp, I have it in the back of my mind that the weather was fabulous, the terrain was advantageous and there was only 200m of elevation gain overall. Also interesting that my Strava ended up recording 57K when 30 miles is 48K !!!

11/04 (T-57) : Morning run with Wolfie

A 6K run with Wolfie. He loved it. Remembered to charge the headphones this time. Good track : Drop the Pilot, Joan Armatrading.

10/04 (T-58) : Evening walk in the sunshine

A nice 7K loop with Wolfie and Nyx. They both enjoyed lots of splashing in the river.

09/04 (T-59) : Morning run

12k run for yomp training. Initially on the red ways and then into the woods. Sacrificed a bit of pace to take a few snaps along the way!! Even though MK is relatively flat, there was still an 87m elevation gain over the distance.

08/04 (T-60) : Evening walk

So nice now that the clocks have changed. Managed to sneak in a 7K walk with the Wolfie and Nyx, and caught this snap of the night sky looking out across Buckinghamshire.

07/04 (T-61) : 11k morning run, into the sunshine

A relatively flat run compared to Devon. Headphones were on low battery so left them at home and just turned the volume up :-) Good track : Cat People (Putting Out Fire) - David Bowie

06/04 (T-62) : A late afternoon walk with Wolfie

Now back home, a 14k walk in the spring sunshine.

05/04 (T-63) : Morning run in Devon

A 14k run on my last day Devon (for now). Making the most of the elevations!

04/04 (T-64) : River walk

On our last day in Devon (for now), a nice 5K loop in the evening sun, taking in the river. Wolfie enjoyed the paddle in the water.

03/04 (T-65) : Evening walk

Just a light evening walk following yesterday's trek.

02/04 (T-66) : A lovely evening walk in Devon with Wolfie.

13K walk with overall 296 m elevation gain. Quite minor in comparison to what the yomp will offer but it all counts ! Countryside in abundance with birds singing.