A Kilcreggan Royal Navy officer has completed a tough challenge that saw him run from Land's End to John O'Groats - despite suffering from a "mystery virus".

Lieutenant Commander Alex Miles crossed the finishing line of the 1,000-mile trail run on July 5, which he began over a month ago.

He raised £2,500 for the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) and Alabaré, a homelessness charity assisting veterans.

Alex at the start of his journey on June 1Alex at the start of his journey on June 1 (Image: Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity)

The 43-year-old, who was born and raised in Newport, South Wales, joined the Royal Navy as an Able Rate submariner in 1999.

He went on to be commissioned as an officer at Britannia Royal Naval College in 2010 and is married to a serving Royal Navy officer, with whom he shares two young children.


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The submariner completed the route, despite an early setback which saw him struck down with a mystery virus in the second week of the challenge.

Suffering from extreme fatigue and uncontrollable shivering, Alex was thankfully able to rally after a short period of recuperation and resume the thirty plus miles a day of trail running in some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes.

Alex endured a mystery virus in the second week of his challengeAlex endured a mystery virus in the second week of his challenge (Image: Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity)

The route was designed by race organiser’s Run Britannia and took place over 37 days with a total elevation of over 70,000ft.

It included elements of spectacular trails in England, Wales and Scotland and took in multiple national parks on the way, finishing at the renowned most north-easterly tip of land in John O’Groats.

He said: "As a serving member of the Royal Navy, I know how fundamental the support from RNRMC is, whether that’s assisting in times of bereavement, financial difficulty or homelessness, the charity is there for all members of the naval community.

"This has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, experiences of my life and I hope to raise as much money as possible for causes which are close to my heart."

The 43-year-old finished the challenge last weekThe 43-year-old finished the challenge last week (Image: Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity)

Dawn Ingram, director of fundraising at the RNRMC, said: "We are so grateful to Alex for supporting RNRMC.

"The fact that he has overcome such adversity to complete this incredible trail run from one end of the country to the other is testament to his strength of character and passion to help those who have served their country and fallen on hard times."