So how did it all start?

Confidence, Connection, Belief, And Belonging.

12th March 2026 - The news no runner expected had landed.

“Northern Traverse 2026 - Event Cancelled”

“It is with deep regret that I must announce that Ourea Events has ceased trading…”

It was a tragic blow for the UK ultra running scene and approximately 800 runners whose dreams of traversing various sections of Wainwright’s Coast to Coast route seemed largely out of reach. But in the wake of this heavy loss, a beacon of hope began to appear.

Amongst those runners was myself, Kitty-Leigh Oxley. Due to seek redemption on last year’s Coast to Coast effort, I understood that the hardest part of any race is often the process of reaching the start line and sadly this element no longer existed.

I wanted to change that.

And so, Community Traverse was born. But what came next exceeded everyone’s expectations, sparking new found hope and community outreach of epic proportion.

The community responded and we were about to go together.

With this response came countless hours of engagement and voluntary commitment, solving logistical nightmares, supplies and hard earned money being spent on each other, determination, resourcefulness and charity.

As things were taking off, the Irish contingent stepped up, starting with fellow runners Jason Williamson and Paul Twomey. They were instantly drawn to the concept, highlighting the true power of human connection. Jason soon connected me with our very own David Keane which served as the catalyst for what quickly became a full scale operation under a seemingly impossible two-week deadline.

Myself & David connected instantly. This was two very different individuals coming together in extraordinary circumstances for the ultra running community who were equally passionate enough to be there in a way that really mattered.

My race had taken on an entirely different purpose, to provide something for others in the wake of what no longer existed, and David’s mission was to steam-train the logistics into place to support those still heading out there.

By now, we shared the same dream and we believed it was possible, but we couldn’t do it alone.

And it was the beautiful response from our community that made this so special.

We came together, to go together.

In these moments David and I shared a simple ambition, to build a safe haven and a strong support system for anyone striking out on their own.

Amongst this, my goal was to build a welcoming and inclusive space for anyone who felt a bit unsure but still had a fierce desire to join in. I wanted people to show up feeling capable, confident, and like they truly belonged.

As we connected with the community, there were so many moving stories that filled my own heart with joy, and our mission grew.

Fuelled by an unstoppable wave of hope and momentum, our efforts gained recognition and its safe to say we were being noticed.

Amongst this wave came Keiran Hewkin, nonchalantly stepping into the fold to support our cause.

A fellow runner, he strongly believed in what we were doing, but his contribution and support exceeded all of our expectations.

This was the perfect example of community power, generosity of spirit and charity.

Our reach soon stretched the entire Coast to Coast route, creating a powerful ripple of community efforts. With groups like Dales Runner boosting our support network and a third community-run linking the Dales section, we welcomed even more runners to our Richmond base and ultimately hosted another spectacular finish here too.

Keiran reached out to support our drop bag logistics, casually offering a van from his flat-packed sofa brand, Swyft Home. He also brought along two employees, Colin and Dean, who became the infamous logistics duo of the Community Traverse.

But Keiran didn't stop at just lending a van. He provided crucial funding and stepped up to be our main sponsor.

The support continued to pour in from all directions, bringing an atmosphere like nothing else. By breaking down barriers, we brought trust, connection, and excitement back into one another’s lives.

It was a true community collaboration that proved exactly what we can achieve when we go together.

And by the the time David and I had reimagined the start line, two incredible events rose from the ashes and became legendary.

With special thanks to Keiran, we were able to provide open tracking links so that all participants could be monitored safely by our team. Family and friends could now follow the epic journeys still going ahead in real-time too.

The inaugural Community Traverse triumphed, not as a traditional race, but as a testament to what a passionate and united community can achieve in a matter of weeks.

When the call went out, the community answered like never before. An incredible team of volunteers arrived in full force, dedicating a staggering 838 collective hours of effort and commitment to keep the dream alive. From supporting our aid stations to providing unwavering encouragement, their tireless work ethic ensured the event was a resounding success.

Together, we defied the odds and rescued the journeys of 72 runners, giving them a second chance to reach the starting lines.

Despite the formidable challenge of each respective distance, our events recorded an impressively low 17% DNF rate with only 4 athletes bowing out on the full Coast to Coast crossing and an inclusive finish to boot.

Beyond the incredible physical feats, the true magic of Community Traverse is its culture. We came together to go together and successfully built an authentically welcoming and inclusive environment in record time.

Another massive point of pride was our 36% female participation rate. It was truly inspiring to see the Community Traverse ladies feeling entirely at home and achieving incredible things out on the trails in such adverse circumstances.

What began as a passion project has evolved into something more. We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more excited for what’s ahead.

So what’s next?

Standing at the helm of Community Traverse and looking back, we didn't just see a project, we saw the beginning of a lasting community with shared purpose and a mutual love for the journey ahead.

Every milestone we crossed became a deeply moving chapter in our story. The quiet moments of progress and the loud celebrations of success all fuelled a fire within, continually inspired by the dedication of every individual taking part.

Now our passion burns brighter than ever and we remain rooted in gratitude for the special community we’ve built. And so, we look ahead with excitement, this isn't just about what we have already accomplished, it’s an open-ended story of continuous growth, where we continue to learn, thrive, and evolve side by side.