With around 7,000 miles behind her, Brightlingsea woman Lindsey ‘Linzi’ Bell is approaching the end of her record-breaking hike around the British coastline.
If all goes to plan, she’ll complete the final mile in Greenwich Park, London on December 23 – 298 days after she started her clockwise hike. Her fast pace – which she hopes will set a world record as the first woman to complete the cirumncavigation using national trails – has seen her complete a 26-mile marathon on many days.
Having passed through Brightlingsea a week ago, as we write Linzi is heading for Southend in Essex – easier terrain than much of the trek, which included tackling Britain’s three highest peaks, Scafell Pike, Snowdon and Ben Nevis. Overall she’s climbed the equivalent of nearly 14 Everests
Linzi describes herself as a “wild warrior woman who discovered that being with nature makes me feel like a super hero”. Having always loved being outdoors, lockdown walks and a three-day hike on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail inspired her to go further.
“If I can help one person smile a bigger smile with the sharing of my daily hiking experiences, encounters and learnings on this epic adventure then my purpose in life is being fulfilled,” said Linzi. “Hiking with nature has taught me, ‘I am only limited by the limits I place upon myself.”
Along the way Linzi has completed individual challenges – including a one-day 50-mile walk alon the Norfolk Coast – and been interviewed by many local TV and radio stations.
Her walk is raising money for mental health charity Mind and National Trails UK. You can follow Linzi’s progress in real time on her website, where there are also spoonsorship links.
