Paul Willis and Logan Soulsby have completed an extraordinary 24-hour endurance run around Druridge Bay Country Park in Northumberland, raising over £1,100 for the mental health charity Calm (Campaign Against Living Miserably).
The duo, who have been training for months, ran non-stop from 9:00 AM on Sunday, March 16, to 9:00 AM the following day, covering an impressive 135 km (84 miles) with no sleep.
The event, which took place on the scenic trails of Druridge Bay, aimed to raise awareness and funds for Calm, a charity that supports individuals struggling with mental health issues. The cause is close to both Paul and Logan’s hearts, as they’ve both experienced the positive impact that running has had on their mental health journeys.
“Running in aid of Calm meant a lot to us,” said Logan Soulsby. “Knowing how much help and support the charity provides to people with mental health issues kept us going through the night, especially in those tough early hours when we were at our most tired.”
Throughout the event, the duo was supported by an onsite crew providing medical assistance and refreshments, along with a large group of local runners and supporters from the nearby gym, Process Driven Fitness. Participants joined Paul and Logan for 3.5 km laps around the park’s lake, pushing their own limits and setting new personal records. In fact, up to 10 participants beat their previous records, with three of them completing ultra-marathon distances (over 26 miles).
“We couldn’t have done this without the amazing support from the local running community,” said Paul Willis. “It was incredible to see people turning up with food, snacks, and encouragement, and it was fantastic to see so many people smash their personal goals.”
Paul and Logan’s individual records were also shattered. Paul exceeded his previous 72-mile mark, while Logan surpassed his 38.5-mile record, both completing 84 miles during the event.
In a show of solidarity, Leodhais Macpherson (@ncl_to_nyc), a local runner undertaking the incredible challenge of running from Newcastle to New York City to raise money for local mental health charity ‘If U care share’, also joined the event, highlighting the strong sense of community and shared purpose among the region’s runners.
The local doughnut company, Deep North, even contributed by providing a tray of delicious, assorted doughnuts to fuel the runners.
As the founders of Heart and Soul Racing, a company established earlier this year to promote trail running in Northumberland, Paul and Logan are committed to inspiring others to take on new challenges. They’ve already organized monthly running events in the region, with a recent turnout of over 80 participants at an event held at Creswell Beach. The team has also partnered with Scott Sports to provide runners with the opportunity to test out the latest in running footwear.
“We love to show people how much fun it is to explore hidden trails around the area,” said Paul Willis. “It’s fantastic to see such great turnout and enthusiasm for trail running.”
Looking ahead, Heart and Soul Racing is hosting the Heart and Soul Fitness Festival from August 1st to 4th, 2025, at Druridge Bay Country Park. The festival will feature a variety of fitness challenges, including a 24-hour ultra race, as well as a 12-hour race, hybrid functional fitness competitions, yoga sessions, water sports, climbing walls, slip-and-slide activities, saunas, and more. The event is open to individuals and teams of all fitness levels, from beginners to experienced athletes. There will also be keynote speakers, live music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities.
“We’re so excited to bring people together for this amazing festival,” said Will Young, Heart and Soul Events organiser. “We want to show everyone that achieving your goals is possible, no matter what they may be. It’s great to see so many people supporting each other and pushing boundaries in the North East running community, and we can’t wait to showcase everything Northumberland has to offer.”
Tickets for the Heart and Soul Fitness Festival are available now, with prices starting at £29. For more information and ticket sales, please visit Heart and Soul Racing.
To donate to Logan and Paul’s fundraising efforts for Calm, please visit their JustGiving page: JustGiving – HSR 24-50-01 Challenge.
