A CrossFit coach based in Skipton is preparing to take on a 200km endurance challenge along the canal to raise money for a mental health charity.
Liam Smith, 34, founder of Strength Over Silence (SOS), will run from Liverpool to Leeds within a 40-hour time limit, setting off at 6am on Friday 18th September.
Liam, who is from Gargrave and coaches at Unity Gym in Embsay, will be joined by two Unity Gym members, Emily Brown and Ian Cross.
The trio will tackle more than 90 locks along the route, running through the night and into the early hours before aiming to reach Leeds on Saturday 19 September.
The challenge is raising funds for SOS, which Liam founded in 2025 after seeing a need for a different approach to supporting people struggling with their mental wellbeing.
The group currently holds free peer-support sessions at Unity Gym every other week, bringing people together to “talk, listen and move”.
Each one-hour session begins with a check-in, followed by an inclusive workout suitable for all abilities, before finishing with a check-out.
The sessions are led by experienced CrossFit coaches, with support from a BACP-registered counsellor and a safeguarding framework.
Speaking ahead of the challenge, Liam said:
“Running 200km from Liverpool to Leeds is going to be brutal, but it's nothing compared with the challenges that some people face silently every single day.
“If we can use this run to raise money, awareness and get more people talking about mental health, it'll be worth every step.”
Liam said his experience in class-based fitness had shown him the benefits of combining physical activity with a supportive community.
The long-term vision for SOS is to expand beyond Skipton and work with gyms and community partners across the UK to provide free, community-led peer support.
Liam said:
“SOS is not therapy, and it isn't a traditional fitness class. It is a community designed to help people feel heard, connected and less alone.
“You don't have to be fit, you don't have to be confident, and you don't have to talk if you don't want to. You can simply turn up and be around people who understand.”
SOS is aiming to raise £5,000 to help establish a sustainable charity in North Yorkshire, with the Liverpool-to-Leeds challenge forming part of its fundraising efforts.
People can support the challenge through the SOS JustGiving page or follow updates on Instagram at @SOSclubUK.
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