Northumberland Freemason completes 400-mile charity run from Newcastle to London

After ten gruelling days on the road, Guy Spencer Smith crossed the finish line at Freemasons' Hall in London.

Setting out from Newcastle on June 1, Guy travelled through nine Masonic Provinces, running almost continuously across England before arriving in London on June 10.

The challenge, known as Temple Run 2026, was undertaken to raise funds and awareness for the Masonic Charitable Foundation, whose work supports individuals, families and communities through healthcare assistance, financial support and charitable grants.

For Guy, however, the achievement was never about the distance itself.

“Running long distances strips everything back,” he said. “You can't hide behind titles or labels. It becomes very simple. You start, and you commit to reaching the end.”

A plumbing and heating engineer, Guy has spent more than a decade using ultramarathon running to support charitable causes.

In 2024, he completed a 205-mile run linking every Masonic Temple in Northumberland, raising £24,000 for the Alzheimer's Society. Inspired by that success, he set his sights on a challenge of national scale.

The journey tested every aspect of physical and mental endurance.

Running through towns, cities and countryside across England, Guy relied on determination, resilience and the support of a dedicated team who helped coordinate logistics, fundraising and communications throughout the ten-day event.

Among those supporting him every mile of the way was his wife, Terï, who took time away from work to act as his support crew, providing food, clothing, navigation assistance and encouragement throughout the challenge.

“Without her, I honestly don't think I'd have completed it,” Guy said. “She's shared every mile of this journey in her own way.”

Temple Run 2026 also highlighted the charitable values at the heart of modern Freemasonry, which contributes millions of pounds annually to support people in need.

Reflecting on the completion of the challenge, Guy said: “This has been an enormous test, but it's been worth every step. If we've helped raise funds for people who need support, and shown something positive about the values of Freemasonry, then every mile has been worthwhile.”