Updates from Bjorn’s 230-Mile London-to-Paris AT Summer Fundraiser Run
Day 8: 230 Miles Conquered – We Made It to the Eiffel Tower! 🏃♂️🇫🇷🎉
#atsummerchallenge UPDATE
Fundraising Page Goal Surpassed: Over $10,000 Raised! 🏃♂️🇫🇷🎉
The 230-mile journey from London to Paris is complete, and we’ve beaten our $10,000 goal for the fundraising page! Your incredible support has made a real difference for Adventist Today’s mission of accessible, independent journalism.
This cause is vital for fostering open dialogue and critical thinking within Adventist community. Your contributions ensure that diverse voices are heard and important conversations continue.
There’s still time to contribute and push us even further beyond our goal.
I’m grateful to God for the strength to complete this run and to everyone who supported, cheered, and donated. Your encouragement carried me through every mile. Thank you SO much to the family, friends, and complete strangers that gave!
Now that I’m back home in England (I FLEW in from Paris last night 🤣🙌💤), I can say I’m not sure I’d do this crazy adventure again, but I am truly glad I did it!
Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey. Much love to you all!
Björn Karlman
AT Executive Director
#ATSummerChallenge #LondonToParis #Grateful
#ATSummerChallenge – Mission Accomplished – Pictures from the Final Day!
Just before the stroke of midnight on Sunday, I finally reached the Eiffel Tower! The AT Summer Challenge’s 230-mile journey from London to Paris is complete.
To everyone who cheered, donated, and supported this incredible adventure – thank you! Your encouragement pushed me through every step, especially those final grueling miles.
While the run may be over, our mission to support independent Adventist Today’s accessible, independent journalism continues. There’s still time to contribute.
From the bottom of my heart, merci beaucoup for being part of this unforgettable journey!
#ATSummerChallenge #MissionAccomplished
August 19 PS: Here are pictures of the final leg from Cergy to the Eiffel Tower. I was too tired to post them last night!
I love running next to rivers. This is in Éragny, near the start of the run.
A view of the Seine river was a pleasant reminder that Paris was closer!
‘Bonjour’ to you too.
Made it to Versailles!
But I didn’t pay for a visit so this was the best picture I could get from the gates!
I can see the goal!
People forget there’s a smaller Statue of Liberty in Paris – I certainly had until I saw this by a bridge on my route.
Why can’t all subway entrances look like this??
My running route went past the Louvres so it was time for a pyramid
Hands-down my favorite area of Paris. The Basilica of Sacré Coeur. I wanted to stay a long time and soak up the atmosphere and the awesome view of Paris but I was out of time and had to rush to get to the Eiffel Tower by midnight.
Finally made it!! It felt surreal.
Day 7 – Sabbath rest has rarely been this delicious
The #ATSummerChallenge also allowed me to go to church in the outskirts of Paris at the Église Adventiste Puiseux Pontoise. It was awesome! I even scored a Sabbath lunch invite from my new friend Elisee Defoi, who was a very fun host with a lot of friends!
Thanks for supporting the #atsummerchallenge and the accessible, independent journalism of Adventist Today here:
New friends!
Made it!
It really felt like home.
The sermon was a gospel-centric focus on opening one’s heart to Jesus. Beautiful.
I met Elysee Defoi after church, and when he heard about my run, he invited me home for Sabbath lunch to hear more about it!
Elysee and his amazing friends in his back garden about to eat a delicious Sabbath meal.
ATSummerChallenge photo update from Day 6 of the 230-mile London-to-Paris run.
I’m definitely getting some quality Sabbath rest today in the Cergy outskirts of Paris but here are some pictures from yesterday’s 63-km / 39-mile run from Gournay-en-Bray to Cergy.
Thanks for supporting the #atsummerchallenge and the accessible, independent journalism of Adventist Today here:
This patisserie in Gournay-en-Bray was hard to pass!
Neuf-Marché was about as charming as little French communities come.
Crossing into a new département (county) always felt good!
You know you are in rural France when you see a handwritten sign advertising 2 adult magpies 😊.
Day 5: 49 miles from Abbeville to Gournay-en-Bray in Normandie
Here are some pictures from Day 5 of my 230-mile #ATSummerChallenge from London to Paris! 🇫🇷 The 79-km (49-mile) run from Abbeville to Gournay-en-Bray was the longest distance yet. These images capture the beautiful French countryside along the route. Your support empowers Adventist Today’s mission of independent journalism. Join me by donating here. Merci for being part of this journey! 🙏🏃♂️🇫🇷 #LondonToParis
The cathedral in Abbeville was impressive. I was sad not to be able to spend time there.
NOT my hotel or its grounds but WOW!!
This place name made me Huppy.
Both pretty AND daunting.
Due to a holiday, most places were closed today, so I had to resort to buying drinks at this cinema. The guy didn’t let me use the bathroom, as I hadn’t paid for a movie.
The town of Aumale looked perfect.
As did these clucking home owners.
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Day 4: 43 Miles of Running from Dieppe to Abbeville. It was intense!
Here are some pictures from Day 4
All proceeds directly benefit the accessible, independent journalism of Adventist Today.
Stay tuned for more updates as I continue this incredible adventure. Check out the AT Facebook page for daily video diaries and join me on this journey!
Thank you for your encouragement and support. It truly keeps me going!
#atsummerchallenge
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Day 3: Bonjour, France! 🇫🇷
Today, the #ATSummerChallenge moved from England to France! I bid farewell to the white cliffs of Newhaven and boarded the ferry to Dieppe. Upon arriving, I couldn’t resist a short run from the terminal to my accommodations. It felt great to stretch my legs in a new country!
Tomorrow, I’ll be back on the road, refreshed and ready to tackle the next leg of the remaining 175 miles of my 230-mile London-to-Paris journey in support of Adventist Today. Your support keeps me going strong!
**Sponsor the AT Summer Challenge:**
https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/getfit2024 – all proceeds go directly to AT
Stay tuned for more updates as I run through France! Check the AT Facebook page for daily video diaries. Thank you for supporting independent Adventist journalism!
#atsummerchallenge
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Day 2: East Grinstead to Newhaven 🇬🇧
Distance: 27 miles (43 km)
Day 2 of the #ATSummerChallenge is in the books! I ran 27 miles from the lovely town of East Grinstead in West Sussex to the port town of Newhaven. The route was filled with picturesque country roads, charming villages, and lush green landscapes. It was really beautiful out there.
However, running in the middle of a UK heat wave was tough! The high temperatures slowed me down and made the run more challenging than I expected. I also forgot to pause my Strava app during some of my eating and water breaks, so the total time is a bit off. By the time I reached Newhaven, I was completely exhausted.
But reaching Newhaven also meant I was one step closer to France, as Day 3 will feature a ferry across the English Channel to Dieppe 🇫🇷! I’m excited to run in a new country and continue my 230-mile journey to Paris in support of Adventist Today.
Here are some pictures from Day 2:
IMAGE: Taking off from East Grinstead at the start of Day 2.
Image: There was quite a bit of this kind of uphill running on the country lanes of Day 2. But I was happy for the shade and scenery.
IMAGE: My run landed on the hottest day of our year so far in the UK, so I was sweating FOR SURE.
IMAGE: You can’t get much more English than this little village…
IMAGE: This apple tree cheered me up considerably towards the end of the run!
IMAGE: Made it to Newhaven!
Your sponsorship and encouragement keep me going through the toughest miles. Please consider donating any amount (I’m serious, even a dollar for the whole 230-mile run is deeply appreciated) to support both my run and AT’s independent journalism.
Stay tuned for more updates and photos, especially now that I’m in a new country! And be sure to check the AT Facebook page for my daily video diaries from the road. Thank you for believing in and supporting this important cause – it means a lot to me!
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Sunday, August 11, 2024: London to East Grinstead 🇬🇧
Distance: 28 miles (45 km)
I kicked off the #ATSummerChallenge with just over a marathon-length run from the iconic Big Ben in London to the picturesque town of East Grinstead. The weather was decent for running (sunny but not boiling), and the support from AT friends online along the way was incredible.
About 20 minutes before I started my run, I decided to be a tourist and point out Big Ben.
Behind the Houses of Parliament as I started the run.
London Brixton Seventh-day Adventist Church was just a quick detour from my official running route through London, so I decided a brief pilgrimage was in order.
Not in London anymore! These guys were lovely though and posed for a picture. They promised to check out Adventist Today 🤣🙌.
This was my route. I stuck to it for the most part but checked out a few things along the way.
My very slow running stats. They include the detours from the official route. (By the way – if you are on Strava, let’s follow each other. Here’s my profile so you can follow the run.
A lot of steps!!
Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference.
Stay tuned for more updates from the road! You can also follow me on the AT Facebook page where I am posting video updates. See you again soon!
