World record-breaking veteran Mitch Hutchcraft is taking on a new challenge this December – running 700km across Britain to shine a light on the crisis facing UK dog rescue centres and to champion adoption over buying pets.
Just six months after summiting Everest as part of the longest recorded climb of the world’s highest mountain, Mitch is setting off again – this time on foot. His new mission, the Great British Dog Walking Challenge, will take him from Ramsey in Cambridgeshire (the UK’s lowest point) to the summit of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest peak.
The 32-year-old adventurer, still recovering from his 13,157km Everest expedition, will run 16 back-to-back marathons in December weather, battling freezing rain and snow, all to raise awareness about illegal dog breeding and the overwhelming number of dogs in need of homes across the UK.
Mitch won’t be running alone. Alongside him will be his two rescue dogs: Buddy, who joined him on part of his Everest journey, and Teddy – the dog who inspired this latest adventure.
Teddy, a cocker spaniel, spent four years confined to a concrete cage on a puppy farm. He had no name, no walk, no affection – one of 28 dogs rescued in a single operation. “He was treated like livestock, kept purely for greed,” Mitch said.
Throughout the challenge, Mitch will visit dog rescue centres and meet adopters and supporters along the route, urging the public to “adopt not shop” when considering a new pet. Hundreds are expected to join him on stretches of the journey – including celebrity supporters such as former England goalkeeper Joe Hart and stars from SAS: Who Dares Wins.
“Although I’m still recovering from the Everest expedition,” Mitch admits, “I felt the need to put my body on the line again. We’re facing crisis point in the UK when it comes to the thousands of amazing dogs that need loving homes.”
“Animal welfare has always been a big part of my belief system – even travelling across Europe and beyond on the way to Everest, we visited animal charities to witness first-hand the incredible compassion and work they do. Yet there is still so much more to be done.”
“It was whilst adopting Teddy, a new four-legged member of our family, that the idea for the run came about,” he said. “This is about more than raising money. It’s about spreading a message. Families looking for a pet do have a choice – and adoption can change lives.”
Mitch’s previous challenge saw him swim the English Channel (21 miles), cycle through 18 countries to India (7,500 miles), then run and hike from sea level to the summit of Everest (900 miles) – a feat that took 237 days and was so extreme that sports scientists doubted it was possible. Along the way, he endured a storm-hit Channel swim that tore part of his tongue, near-fatal cycling crashes, gunpoint encounters, and the triumph of being one of the first to summit Everest that season.
Now, he’s preparing for a different kind of challenge – one that combines endurance with advocacy.
“I’m hoping loads of dog owners will come out and join me on sections of the run,” Mitch said. “You don’t have to be super fit or run the length of the country – just come and give your support.”
“The more momentum we build, the more incredible animals we can help rehome.”
Follow Mitch’s journey and get involved in the Great British Dog Walking Challenge by searching @_mitchhutch on Instagram.
Photos: Mitch Hutchcraft.