South West Coast Path FKT – Dani Blackie

Dani Blackie set off from Minehead, Somerset on April 14^th, 2021, becoming the first solo female to complete the South West Coast Path. Finishing the 630-mile route in Swanage, some 18 days and 14 hours after setting off! NHS heart specialist and trail enthusiast Dani, took some time out to chat with Ultrarunner Magazine about her latest challenge!

“Long-distance running presents the opportunity to be outdoors for days on end at times. The stresses of the busy day-to-day melt away from the mind and body as you become fully immersed in the beauty of mother nature. Lost in the trails and her surroundings, centred only on the present moment, trainers hit the earth, one after the other, and you are carried away into escapism, freed from concern for a little while.”

Completing my first marathon in 2011, the ‘marathon bug’ engulfed me rather quickly. My passion for long distances continued to snowball with each marathon that I ticked off! Eventually, I landed in the 100-marathon club! Balancing the work-life-running trio, in a healthy way, we must optimise our free time and what better way to maximise the moments that we steal for ourselves than with adventure?

In 2014 I spent some time out in New Zealand, exploring the trails and making up my own events, going rogue, as I dove deeper into the foreign habitat. Remote areas meant that having your wits about you was, more than ever, a vital tool in your survival pack! Not forgetting to leave a note for the ranger (so that they know when you expect to return, and when to worry) is just as important as the careful preparation of your survival kit, hydration and nutrition.