Lincolnshire dad hospitalised after completing colossal 1,250-mile run from Poland to Skegness

Polish-born Greg Pacho endured swollen ankles, blisters, cracked muscles and sickness as he crossed six countries over 19 days to reach the finish line in Skegness on Saturday.

Setting off in Poland on August 17, the 50 year-old ran and walked through Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France before entering the UK at Dover, and heading up to Lincolnshire. The distance represents a staggering 65.8 mile-a day average.

At the end, the gruelling journey took such a toll on his body that Greg was in hospital on Monday – over concerns for his health.

Speaking to the Standard from hospital, Greg, from Boston, said: “On Sunday I spent all night in Skegness resting, but was in a lot of pain the next day. My stomach was bad and everything hurt.”

Greg said he also noticed some “unusual symptoms” so was taken in for tests. Doctors found he had severe muscle breakdown, which was releasing a protein into his bloodstream. He was placed on a drip and given medication, before being allowed back home later that evening.

"The painkillers I’d been taking had affected my stomach too,” he said. “I seemed to spend half of the journey vomiting, which often left me feeling very weak.”

Greg said his lowest point came in France when he was unable to use his right leg anymore. “I sat against a tree and just felt awful, thinking I would not make it, and wondering how I would tell people,” he said. “But after three hours rest I got up and tried again and it was better. I felt bad for my wife as she was genuinely concerned for my life at this point,” he adds.

He has been hoping to get world record status for the effort, but says official bodies would not get involved because his challenge was deemed to be a potential threat to his life, alongside the expense and logistics of recording his entire 19-day journey across six countries.

"I believe it is a world record for that distance under 20 days,” he adds. “It’s just not official, but that doesn’t matter to me. My motivation was always about helping the charities.”

The colossal effort, which took Greg over a year to train and prepare for, has so far raised more than £2,400 for Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre (DCHC) in Skegness and the Shelter-Lniana children’s home in Łódź, Poland. Donations can still be made on his Justgiving page.

After reaching the final destination outside DCHC in Scarborough Avenue, Greg was met by a crowd of supporters, including his wife DomiNika.

“It was one of the happiest moments of my life,” he adds. “I was so relieved I had made it. I didn’t fully accept how hard this would be, especially as I don’t like running!”

Speaking about his motivation, he explained: “Poland is where I was born and Britain is where I have spent most of my adult life. Supporting children in both countries is my way of showing that kindness does not stop at national borders. This is my way of giving something back to the communities that have shaped my life and helping children who deserve the chance of a better future, wherever they have been born.”

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre said: “We are so proud of you Greg and can only marvel at your perseverance throughout such difficulties. We are so grateful and humbled that you chose to support us! You’re a champion!”

Greg offered thanks to all the friends, strangers and businesses who had supported him along the way – from restaurants and holiday lets, to support drivers and local Youtubers who documented his journey. Two of those were Michael and Magdalena Moody, of Moody’s Holiday Lets in Skegness, who offered Greg and his family a place to stay, with Magdalena even running alongside Greg for the final 7km into Skegness. Michael also filmed the finale live on Facebook, while popular Youtuber ‘Neil R Adventures’ drove in support, filming from the rear.

For more details about the work of Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, in Skegness, visit their website.