Title: From Zero to 100 Marathons: The Unlikely Journey of Hannah Cox

The worn soles of Hannah Cox’s running shoes are a testament to an extraordinary feat. Scuffed by dust and patched with strips of car tire, these trainers have traversed far more than a single marathon distance. Most marathon runners dread the thought of repeating the 26.2-mile ordeal, often vowing to never do it again after the initial challenge. But imagine facing that same distance day after day, for 100 consecutive days, across the vast landscape of India. Now, consider that just 18 months prior, Cox had never run a step. This grueling, emotional expedition is literally imprinted on her footwear.

For years, Cox, now 41, harbored a specific ambition: to traverse a historic 4,200km route in India. This path was once utilized by the British during the 19th century to enforce a controversial salt tax, a system that relied heavily on the Great Hedge of India, a massive customs barrier. The idea remained a dream until the summer of 2024, when a friend asked if she was "still obsessed with that hedge." When Cox confirmed she was, the friend unexpectedly suggested, "I think you should run it."

That comment sparked a transformation. Cox joined a local running club in Manchester, starting with manageable 30-minute sessions three times a week. As her endurance grew, her runs expanded from 5Ks to 10Ks, and she began training for consecutive running days—a necessity for her goal in India. To test her limits, she tackled rigorous challenges such as "20 20 20," which required running 20km every weekday for 20 days, and completing seven marathons in seven days while crossing the UK from coast to coast. These experiences convinced her that "Project Salt Run" was viable. She assembled a support crew, secured a van, and set a fundraising target of £1 million for environmental charities.

Despite her physical and logistical preparation, Cox was unprepared for the chaotic reality of the roads and the severe illness that would plague her. "Everyone tried to put me off at first—people just didn't believe I would actually do it," Cox recalls. Nevertheless, on October 26 of last year, she departed from the Attari-Wagah border, located between Pakistan and India, heading toward Kolkata, near her father Deric’s birthplace.

Staying true to the historical route meant varied terrain. Some days involved running 42km along monotonous highways, while others took her through nature reserves, canals, and agricultural fields. The roads were perilous, shared with cows, snakes, goats, and drivers frequently using the wrong side of the road. Cox sustained a leg scar after a collision with a motorbike and occasionally required police escorts to pass through areas notorious for fatal tiger attacks. The environment was oppressive, characterized by intense heat, dust, and smog. Although she spent two weeks in a heat chamber to acclimatize, nothing could fully prepare her for the conditions.

The physical toll was severe, with Cox losing over 10kg during the challenge, largely due to bouts of sickness. One particularly surreal incident occurred on day 24 at the Taj Mahal. "We met Richard Branson at the Taj Mahal," she says. "He was there to host a charity cycling event. I was feeling worse and worse." The previous evening, Branson had invited her to dinner at a luxury hotel. "I had one sniff of an Old Fashioned cocktail and I was like: 'oh my god, I'm going to be sick'. I had to run to these really fancy toilets and I was sick everywhere."

The following day, she faced the daunting task of running a marathon. Five participants from Branson’s charity event joined her, but Cox was ill throughout the entire run. "I was sick all day that day by the side of the road but I just knew I had to finish." Her determination led her to rise early each morning to accumulate miles before the sun reached its peak.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-04-27 05:43:32 UTC