Keep on running: David completes Stampede by the Sea in record time

Date published: 30 April 2025

Stampede by the Sea has captured the imagination of many local people and visitors alike, with participants enthusiastically ‘collecting’ all 58 elephant sculptures on the app. But one individual has truly gone the extra mile!

David Davies, visiting family in Dorchester over Easter, conquered the entire trail on foot, running between each sculpture and completing the impressive feat in just four hours and ten minutes.

“Having previously enjoyed Wild in Art trails in Cardiff, I was excited to hear about the elephants in Dorset,” David explained. “My mum told me about it, and I immediately started planning a route.”

He added, “The Jurassic Coast provided a stunning backdrop, but what I loved most was discovering hidden gems. The trail took me beyond the usual tourist spots in places like Lyme Regis, leading me through parks, streets, and local shops I’d never have seen otherwise.”

David was also full of praise for the work of the artists. “The designs were so professional! I downloaded the app, and photographed each one. My favourite was definitely Knotty Netty outside Bridport Museum (sponsored by AmSafe Bridport) – the rope design was so unique. And the app’s GPS was spot on, guiding me straight to every elephant.”

His route, of just short of twenty miles in total, took him from Lyme Regis to West Bay, looping up to Bridport and back, before a final stretch along the coast to the final two elephants in Burton Bradstock. David collected his well-deserved completer’s certificate from Trail HQ in West Bay afterwards – still looking very fresh!

“This trail is a fantastic way to get people out and about and being active,” David concluded. “Knowing the great work of Weldmar Hospicecare from my time living in Dorset, I was delighted to support such a worthwhile cause in such a fun way.”