Skipton’s Sam Boatwright leaves the UK tomorrow for his biggest and most gruelling challenge to date – running and cycling across a large chunk of the USA between two of its most famous cities.

Endurance man Sam shot to fame in 2015 when he ran 50 miles a day for 50 consective days around the UK coastline, covering 2,500 miles in total and raising £16,500 for his chosen charity Help for Heroes. He became widely known as the ‘Epic Runner.’

Now, the 34-year-old secondary school teacher and personal trainer is heading off for his latest epic, a month-long 3,000 mile combined run and cycle marathon from New York to Los Angeles this July.

Combining two of his passions, he will start in the Big Apple next Monday, running 50 miles one day, then cycling 150 miles the next, taking in Philadelphia, Chicago and on to LA via the renowned Route 66. He plans to finish on August 24.

Sam, who teaches in Bradford at St Bedes and St Josephs Catholic College, has been hard in training for the past few months for his heroic Stateside slog.

He has been seeking sponsorship to help cover costs, as well as raising more much-needed cash for Help for Heroes, which supports ex-servicemen and women who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses while serving our country.

Sam’s fund-raising target is £10,000 and he has to date raised over £1,000, thanks to early support from businesses, including Skipton Ford & Mazda, Nettleton Garden Centre, Bodental, Althams Travel, Wellocks, Trycare and Weezle Diving Services.

Sam said: “I had fantastic support for my Epic Run from so many generous businesses, organisations, family, friends and members of the public at large. I can’t thank them enough and am hoping they and others will once again rally round and support the latest cause. The challenge is, of course, ultimately for Help for Heroes.”

Sam’s progress can be tracked via his website samboatwright.com Donations can be made at https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/9OWWBCaav58Hz