Downhill From Here

‘I wanted to get to know the country I’d lived in my whole life in an entirely new way. To see how its landscapes, peoples and climate changed as I proceeded south. And of course I wanted to test my mettle. But really, this was more than just something I wanted to do; it was something I needed to do’.

Gavin Boyter is an ordinary man, a Scottish filmmaker living in London with little career prospects and a dwindling personal life. An amateur runner, he had an impressive selection of races under his belt, however with each marathon he was left with a thirst for more. A need to do something grandiose and extraordinary. Then he found ultra-running. Adventurous, Epic, Enduring. Ultra-running is more than just a ‘fun run’, each race spanning hundreds of miles. Engrossed in this new-found world, Gavin decided it was time he put himself and his physical endurance to the ultimate test. Naturally, he made the decision to run 1,100 miles in under a month.

Described by world record holder and ultra-endurance athlete Sean Conway as ‘an epic adventure on our epic island’, Downhill From Here: Running from John O’Groats to Land’s End is a witty, hearty and altogether inspirational story of an average man taking on an extraordinary feat. Immersed in Gavin Boyter’s adventure, his wry yet compelling voice takes us through the highs and lows of an astounding journey, showing just how far an ‘ordinary runner’ can go.