Running for Rivers: CEO Mark Lloyd takes on 43-mile ultramarathon challenge inspired by salmon migration to raise vital funds
To raise awareness of the plight of salmon and fundraise for the vital work of The Rivers Trust, this September our CEO, Mark Lloyd will take part in the Salmon Run/​43-mile ultramarathon challenge along the River Exe, following the species’ migration route upstream.
05/08/25
Blog
On Saturday 20th September, The Rivers Trust CEO Mark Lloyd will run 43 miles along the River Exe to raise funds for The Rivers Trust’s work in improving river health across the UK and Ireland. The run, known as the Salmon Run, will coincide with the Big River Watch, our nationwide citizen science survey taking place over the same weekend.
The Salmon Run follows the course of the River Exe, starting at the sea in Exmouth to the spawning grounds on Exmoor, mirroring the upstream migration made by Atlantic Salmon. The route ends in Dulverton, where Mark will be greeted by a party of supporters.
Atlantic salmon are icons of British and Irish rivers. Their titan journeys – leaving the rivers they were born in to mature while crossing our seas, before returning to the same river and navigating upstream to breed – have long been the stuff of legend. Yet fewer and fewer salmon return or thrive in our waterways – our waters now too warm, too polluted, and too fragmented by barriers.
Mark will see firsthand the great challenges that salmon face, not only travelling a great distance but identifying signs of pollution and overcoming barriers such as weirs that humans have placed in their ancient path.
With every step, Mark is raising vital funds for The Rivers Trust. We are a UK and Ireland-wide charity working to restore and stand up for rivers alongside our Movement of local trusts, and every donation goes towards our goal of achieving wild, healthy, and natural rivers – something that salmon are in desperate need of.
Not one to shy away from a challenge, Mark has previously cycled 500 miles for The Rivers Trust. As his training program gets underway and his feet get increasingly sore, please support Mark's salmonid-inspired efforts with a donation!
His trusty dog Rusty has been joining him as he trains for this challenge.
““Atlantic salmon go on an incredible journey, swimming from the headwaters of rivers like the Exe, out to sea and as far as Greenland, and then back again to spawn in the same shingle banks where they emerged from their own egg. However, their journey is increasingly threatened by warming waters, pollution, habitat loss and man-made barriers that block their path.
“As I run alongside the route that salmon travel upstream, I’ll experience firsthand the challenges they face, not just the huge distance but also the weirs and dams that stand in their way. I aim to highlight the perils faced by these iconic and endangered species whilst raising vital funds to help support restoring healthy rivers that are so crucial to their survival.
“I’m working hard to get my ageing body into shape for this ultramarathon. The furthest I have ever run is about 15km when I was 15, about 40 years ago, so I’m pretty daunted by the prospect but know that the cause is worth it.””
Mark Lloyd
CEO, The Rivers Trust
The Rivers Trust is proud to be part of The Missing Salmon Alliance, a group of conservation-focused organisations that have come together to drive action and save wild Atlantic salmon from extinction by combining expertise, coordinating activities, and advocating effective management solutions.
Donate to Mark's fundraiser today
Any donation, little or large, will support our vital work at The Rivers Trust, restoring rivers for salmon, other species and communities. Thank you.