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Man runs from Leeds to London to see Sam Fender

Emily Doughty
BBC News, Yorkshire
Andy Hobson Andy Hobson, dressed in a running top and a yellow hat, is pictured standing outside the London Stadium. The stadium side reads "Sam Fender" in large yellow letters, as well as carrying the date of his performance. Andy Hobson
The longest leg of Andy's journey will be between Sheffield and Nottingham, clocking in at 42 miles (68km)

There are a number of methods of travelling to a concert, but the chances are, the average music fan hasn't considered an ultra-marathon.

That's how Andy Hobson, 34, is planning to reach the London Stadium next Friday. He is running from his hometown of Leeds to London to see Sam Fender in concert.

His journey will start outside the Brudenell Social Club on Saturday, and will end on the 6 June in the Olympic Park in east London, where Fender is performing.

The 252 mile (407km) journey will be in support of the Music Venue Trust, a charity which acts to protect UK grassroots music venues, and which Andy believes he "owes his life to" during struggles with his mental health.

Andy, who works in the emergency services, was not originally planning the marathon fundraiser when he bought tickets to see Fender play in London, as part of his People Watching tour.

He said: "I bought the ticket and instantly I thought, I wonder if I can run from Leeds to London?".

Getty Images Sam Fender on stage, wearing a navy blue jacket and top. He is playing a black and white stripped guitar and stands in front of blue-black background.Getty Images
People Watching is Fender's first UK tour since 2022

Andy is using the challenge to raise money for grassroot music venues "to help make a difference to that sector".

"I loved going to music venues, especially small independent ones, when I was struggling with my mental health," he said.

"On a particular day, when I wasn't feeling too great, I would book a tickets for the most random gig.

"I knew I would go into those places and feel a sense of community, so I wanted to create a fundraiser to help make a difference to that sector - which I felt like, at the time I was struggling, I owe my life to it" he said.

In addition, Fender is donating £1 from every ticket sale sold for the UK dates to the charity, something which "reinforced" Andy's decision.

During the week-long journey, Andy will start and end each leg at a different music venue, including the Leadmill in Sheffield which recently announced it is leaving its current venue.

Friends, music and podcasts will power Andy through the challenge, which he plans to break into 10-hour running shifts.

Derrick Wess Andy wears a white top and black shorts. He is running along a street. On the right is a yellow banner, which says London 100 Ultra Marathon. Derrick Wess
Andy previously raised money for the charity CALM, running 12 marathons in 12 months

He said the financial outlay he has spent on equipment will be another incentive to complete the challenge.

"Once I get stuff like the clothing and branding - being a Yorkshire man - it gets me thinking, I have paid for it now - so I have to do the job now. I have got to see it through.

"Even in the difficult bits, I will think, I have paid for this top - I have to do it now!"

So which Sam Fender songs will provide Andy with inspiration on his journey?

"Seventeen Going Under will feel like such a big song. But recently, off his latest album, Nostalgia's Lie has been quite a good song for me.

"It feels very relevant to this journey. I'm sort of looking towards my future self, if that makes sense?"

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.