Most people, after running a marathon, would be more than happy to kick back with a beer and a medal.
Not Matt Clayton.
After crossing the Brighton Marathon finish line with a new personal best on April 6, 2025, Clayton decided he wasn’t done yet — not by a long shot.
Instead of resting, he packed his bags and started walking to Paris to run another marathon a week later.
From Brighton to Paris — On Foot
Clayton had just clocked a 3:51:29 in Brighton, but rather than bask in the glory of a new PB, he immediately set off on a four-day trek.
He walked 17.7 kilometres to Newhaven, caught a ferry across the English Channel to Dieppe, then marched another 168.9 kilometres to Paris.
That’s nine hours of walking a day — on legs that had just run a marathon.
And if that sounds brutal, it gets better: after only two days to “rest” his battered legs, Clayton lined up at the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris.
Against all odds, he didn’t just finish — he smashed his Brighton time, running 3:40:42 and cutting 11 minutes off his PB.
“Before the Paris Marathon, my calf was really stiff,” Clayton said. “As soon as I got started, it seemed to free up. I felt incredible stamina-wise.”
Clayton’s wild adventure wasn’t just a personal quest. He was raising money for the Wynn Trust Foundation, a charity supporting former boxers with brain injuries.
His effort struck a chord: he raised more than $3,000, blowing past his original fundraising target.
The Wynn Trust Foundation, named after boxer Mark Wynn, funds research and support initiatives for athletes facing long-term brain trauma. Clayton said taking on something “this physically tough” felt like the right way to honor what the charity stands for.
“The Wynn Trust does amazing work,” Clayton shared. “It felt fitting to push myself to the limit.”
Of course, there’s no land bridge between the U.K. and France, so Clayton hopped a ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe. But the bulk of the journey was all on foot.
In total, factoring in the two marathons, Clayton covered about 275 kilometres (170 miles) in just seven days.
To put that in perspective, that’s the equivalent of almost seven consecutive marathons — a staggering physical and mental feat, especially for someone who isn’t a professional athlete.
What’s Next?
Despite the success — and a nice chunk of change raised for a good cause — Clayton was ready to head home. “My legs are pretty stiff. I couldn’t wait to get home,” he said with a laugh, speaking from the airport the morning after Paris.
He’s got a few more events on the calendar, but nothing quite as outrageous as a walk-run-crawl from Brighton to Paris.
And honestly, after a week like that? He’s earned a break.
