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Local Runner Takes on Epic Ipswich Town Challenge: 2,983 Miles for Ipswich Town Foundation

Ipswich-born runner and Town supporter Callum Sparkes is embarking on an extraordinary fundraising challenge that will see him run to every Ipswich Town Premier League away match during the 2026/27 season.

Starting from Portman Road and finishing at all 19 away grounds across England, Callum aims to raise £19,000 for Ipswich Town Foundation – one thousand pounds for every away fixture.

The challenge will cover at least 2,983 miles over nine months, with the shortest journey being a 71-mile run to Tottenham Hotspur and the longest a daunting 265-mile trek to Newcastle United. Every run will be completed in time for kick-off on the day Ipswich Town play.

It’s a challenge that combines endurance, dedication and community spirit in equal measure.

Funds raised will support the work of Ipswich Town Foundation, which changes lives across Suffolk. The Foundation creates opportunities for young people through sport and education programmes, while also supporting older members of the community through social inclusion initiatives that combat loneliness and promote wellbeing.

Callum said:

“If the money raised through this helps a child make a friend at a Foundation football camp, allows an older person someone to share football stories with, or inspires people to get active and healthier, then it’ll all be worth it.

I’m Ipswich born and bred, and there are a lot of great people in the town and county of Suffolk. No one should feel lonely.”

A Challenge Worth Getting Behind

At Ipswich.love, we are proud to support local people doing extraordinary things for their community, and Callum’s challenge perfectly captures the spirit of the Town. It is ambitious, a little bit bonkers, hugely inspiring and rooted in a genuine desire to help others.

Running nearly 3,000 miles is remarkable enough. Doing it between football matches, through the depths of winter and over the course of an entire Premier League season, is another level altogether.

We would encourage everyone who loves our town, ITFC, community sport or simply seeing good people do good things to get behind Callum’s fundraising effort.

Whether you can donate, share his story, follow his progress or cheer him on along the route, every bit of support will help make a difference.

Support Callum’s Challenge

👉 Donate here: Run to Every ITFC Away Game

📱 Follow the journey: @goodweirdrunning on Instagram and YouTube.

From everyone at Ipswich.love – good luck, Callum. We’ll be following every mile, every step and every away day.

#uppatowen

Who wrote this about Ipswich?

Sam Sherman

Sam is a Co-Founder of Ipswich.love. Passionate about Ipswich, Sam looks to see how we might jointly reverse some of the recent negativity and bring some deserved positivity back to our beloved Town.