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

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 - fascinating to think of the activities that would have been going on there.

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.