CAPTION: Rev’d Montague set off from Scotland on 8 March and is running the equivalent of two marathons a day.
Devon Vicar and Former Royal Marine Running the Length of the UK in Just 17 Days
A vicar and former Royal Marine from Devon is running from John O’Groats to Lands End in just 17 days to raise money for his churches and the Royal Marines Association charity.
Justin has served as a Royal Marine and Afghanistan Veteran.
Rev’d Justin Montague is Priest in Charge of St Michael’s Church Beer and St Gregory’s Church Seaton.
He said doing the run had been a “lifelong dream, that a few years ago seemed simply impossible.”
Rev’d Montague set off from Scotland on 8 March and is running the equivalent of two marathons a day.
He will be running through Devon on Thursday 21 March and Friday 22 March.
Members of his churches are planning to cheer him along part of the route on Thursday.
Rev’d Justin said “Ten years ago, I was a serving Royal Marine, Afghanistan veteran and endurance athlete. Having battled serious long-term illness and injury, I reached a rock bottom point in my life. However, that was not the end of my story. After two years in rehabilitation with Hasler Company RM, the Royal Marines family lifted me back up.”
Justin was ordained in 2018.
“I was medically retired from the marines in 2016 and embarked on a new chapter in my life, training to be a Priest in the Church of England. Ordained in 2018, I became the Royal Marines Association honorary chaplain in 2021 and vicar of two coastal parishes in East Devon in 2022.
“One of the charities I am seeking to fund-raise for is the Royal Marines Association, which supports marines and their families through any challenges they face; from injury or illness, transitioning or poverty, ensuring no one is left behind.
“The other two charities I am supporting in my fund-raising are two parish churches in Seaton and Beer, Devon, who seek to grow and serve our communities together, to transform and impact lives with the love of Jesus Christ.”
Penny Grant from St Michael’s Church, Beer, said: “I am in awe of Justin and Melissa. I don’t even run for a bus these days! We are all following their progress, with the ups and downs, together with Justin’s Bible Reading.
Rev’d Justin is doing the run alongside his wife Melissa.
“We pray for their safe return to our Coastal Mission Community having completed their enormous challenge. If you can, please make a donation to their worthy chosen charities. Thank you.”
The runners hope to reach Lands’ End on Palm Sunday (24 March).
Rev’d Justin added: “I am also doing this challenge during the season of Lent as a pilgrimage, covering a similar distance to what the wise men are believed to have travelled from the East to Bethlehem to visit the Christ child that first Christmas.”
