A Wolverhampton Grammar School tradition since 1999 — students, miles, and money raised for charity.
Every year, a small team of Wolverhampton Grammar School students take on one of the most iconic long-distance routes in the country — 170 miles from St Bees Head on the Cumbrian coast to Robin Hood’s Bay on the Yorkshire shore. No cars. No shortcuts. Just running, determination, and teamwork.
The Coast 2 Coast Challenge is one of the highlights of the Wolverhampton Grammar School sporting calendar, and every year the team runs to raise vital funds for a charity close to their hearts.
The Story So Far
The Coast 2 Coast Challenge was introduced into Wolverhampton Grammar School sporting culture by Michelle Craig — a New Zealander who joined the school to teach English and PE in September 1998. At her school back home, they held an annual 24-hour sponsored relay run around a large lake, and that same spirit of adventure took root here at WGS.
Michelle suggested following Wainwright’s famous coast-to-coast route, and in October 1999 the very first C2C team — eight students — set off on a 183-mile relay. The challenge has been refined over the years; the route we follow today covers 170 miles. The 2026 challenge will be the 28th time we have run it.
Cumulative achievements across 27 challenges:
| Total raised (inc. gift aid) | Over £140,329 |
| Students who have taken part | 272 |
| Total miles run | 4,616 miles |
| Challenges completed | 27 |
The students themselves choose the charity they wish to support each year. We always set a fundraising target of £3,000 — but we usually raise considerably more.
2026 Challenge — Supporting the Good Shepherd
Following team trials, 11 Year 10 students have been selected to represent Wolverhampton Grammar School in this year’s challenge. They are already deep into a daily training programme, building the fitness and resilience they will need for race day.
This year the team are fundraising for The Good Shepherd, a homeless charity based in Wolverhampton, whose work supports some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
Fundraising Events
The team’s fundraising builds up through a series of events leading to the challenge itself:
Sleep Out — Friday 8 May 2026
The 11 C2C students, each accompanied by a fellow student, will spend a night sleeping out at Wolverhampton Grammar School — experiencing a small taste of the reality faced by those The Good Shepherd supports.
Sponsored Year 6 Run — Friday 8 May 2026
Year 6 pupils will take on a 1.7-mile sponsored run around the school track, adding their miles and their fundraising efforts to the cause.
Community Visit — The Good Shepherd
All 11 C2C students will visit The Good Shepherd’s centre in Wolverhampton, connecting with the charity and the people their fundraising will support.
Support the Team
You can donate directly to the team’s fundraising page using the link below. Every contribution, however small, makes a real difference to The Good Shepherd’s vital work.
Previous Challenges
Want to see how past teams got on? Follow the links below to find out about the route, the charity, and the totals raised in previous years.
