A former Royal Marine who recently conquered Mount Everest is embarking on an extraordinary new challenge: running sixteen marathons in just sixteen days to champion the cause of rescue dogs across the United Kingdom.
From Everest to Canine Compassion
Mitch Hutchcraft, a 32-year-old adventurer from Ramsay in Kent, will commence his monumental run from the UK's lowest point in his hometown on December 3. His journey will culminate sixteen days later at the summit of Ben Nevis in Scotland, the nation's highest peak at 1,345 metres.
Each day, Mitch will cover the gruelling distance of a full marathon—26.2 miles—while being accompanied by his own rescue dog, Teddy, and at times his other dog, Buddy. The mission aims to raise public appreciation for rescue animals and highlight the urgent need for changes in breeding laws, with a petition targeting 100,000 signatures.
A Personal Mission Against Puppy Farming
The inspiration for this challenge struck Mitch just two months ago when he adopted Teddy from the Many Tears animal shelter in Wales. Teddy had endured four years confined in a concrete cage on a puppy farm, a life so deprived he never experienced a simple walk.
"Teddy is the love of our lives," Mitch shares. "He's beginning to come out of his shell now and is teaching me patience. We want to encourage people to 'adopt don't shop,' as it's so much more rewarding to get a rescue dog."
This personal connection fuels his determination, especially in light of statistics from the animal welfare group Naturewatch Foundation, which suggests as many as four in five dogs entering UK homes may come from unknown, unlicensed, or unlawful sources.
Building a Pack for Change
This is not Mitch's first superhuman feat for a cause close to his heart. In a staggering 237-day challenge concluding in May 2025, he swam the English Channel, cycled 7,500 miles across 18 countries to India, and then ran and hiked 900 miles from sea level to the summit of Everest. This endeavour raised £25,000 for SAVSIM, an organisation providing animal-assisted therapy for veterans' mental health.
His latest undertaking, the Great British Dog Walk Challenge, will see him partner with dozens of dog rescue shelters, collecting donations for their winter wish lists. He will be joined by hundreds of canine supporters and their owners along the route, including former England goalkeeper Joe Hart.
"It's going to be one hell of a challenge," Mitch admits. "Supporters will be bringing dogs that need to be rescued and making videos to share on social media, hoping to get as many dogs rescued as possible."
Mitch is calling on the British public to join him. "I am hoping there'll be loads of dog owners who want to come out and join me on sections of the run. The more momentum around this we can gather, the more amazing animals currently looking for a new family, we can rehome."
