One Lap, 400 Miles, One Week: GP Sets Sights on Cornwall Perimeter Record Run

Published: 29 September ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk

While most runners are content with completing a lap around their local park or tackling a half marathon, one determined Cornish woman is aiming for a challenge of unprecedented scale. Dr. Elsey Davis, 36, a professional trail runner and practicing GP, has set her sights on racing the entire perimeter of Cornwall, a staggering 400-mile journey that she hopes to complete in under seven days. Her attempt also carries a deeply personal mission: to raise awareness for young-onset Alzheimer’s in honour of her mother, Ann, who was diagnosed with the disease.

Davis, who has built a reputation as an accomplished trail runner, plans to cover approximately 60 miles each day, beginning before dawn and running for around 16 hours at a stretch. Over the course of the week, she will confront more than 18,000 metres of elevation – a challenge equivalent to climbing Mount Everest twice. “Physically, this may be the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Davis admitted. “The most I’ve ever run in one week is about 110 miles. The hope is to do it in less than seven days, but I have never been in this situation before, so it’s hard to predict how I will feel. I’m not scared of the challenge – I’m excited.”

The attempt is intended not only as a personal test of endurance but also as a platform to draw attention to Alzheimer’s disease. “Doing it for my mum is going to make it that bit easier,” she said. “Nothing’s as scary as my mum’s diagnosis. When the tough moments come on the run, and I am sure they will, I will remind myself of my ‘why’, and the fact that I am privileged to be able to do this.”

Davis discovered her passion for trail running during the Covid-19 pandemic, transitioning from road running while working on Covid wards in Manchester. She found that trails offered an effective outlet for stress, and since then, she has achieved notable success, including winning several races and setting course records on challenging events such as the Bob Graham Round in the Lake District.

Her route begins at Land’s End, where she will head east along Cornwall’s rugged north coast. This section, Davis anticipates, will be the most difficult, both technically and physically. “The north coast is normally the most weather-beaten,” she said. “In places like Tintagel, the path can be really steep. I’m hoping that the wind is behind me. It’s not smooth running. You’re constantly checking where your feet are. Some sections will be in the dark, starting at 5am every day. It’s taxing on your brain – you can’t just run; you have to think about where your feet are going to stay upright.”

After traversing the north coast, Davis will make her way south along the newly established Tamar Coast to Coast Way, which broadly follows the River Tamar, before turning west to complete her loop back at Land’s End. She described the south coast leg as “more chilled and gentle in comparison to the north,” though she acknowledges that no part of the journey will be without its challenges.

Mental endurance will be as crucial as physical strength for Davis, who anticipates difficult low points during the week-long effort. “Sports psychologists encourage you to ask yourself for your ‘why’ – why are you doing it? That’s the strongest force that will get you through,” she said. “For me, doing it for my mum is definitely the biggest motivator.”

In a heartwarming touch, Davis revealed that her mother is keen to join her for the final mile of the record attempt. Ann will be celebrating her 25th parkrun milestone that day, and Davis hopes to share the moment with her, walking in together to mark the completion of the run. “That will be really nice,” she said, highlighting how deeply personal and meaningful this endeavour is beyond its athletic challenge.

Davis’s record attempt is also a fundraiser, with proceeds going to Alzheimer’s Research UK. Her journey promises to draw attention to both the extraordinary physical feat and the broader social issue of Alzheimer’s disease, providing inspiration for athletes, carers, and families across the country.

As she prepares to embark on this grueling challenge, Davis embodies resilience, dedication, and a sense of purpose that transcends sport. Her combination of professional commitment as a GP and elite athleticism serves as a reminder that endurance is as much about heart and motivation as it is about physical capability. For Cornwall and beyond, Elsey Davis’s perimeter run represents a remarkable blend of athletic ambition and advocacy, shining a light on Alzheimer’s awareness while pushing the limits of human endurance.