Run for the Rivers – a WATER fundraiser like no other – March 2026

Run for the Rivers

One man’s challenge in March 2026

  • 10 days.   
  • 400 miles.
  • Mouth of the Erme to London

The man is WATER’s Deputy Chair and Farming Lead, John Mildmay-White.

John is on a mission to raise awareness of pollution in our rivers and to raise funds to support WATER’s work in restoring water quality and habitat across the Erme’s catchment. 

His 400 mile Ultramarathon will start at the mouth of the Erme, then follow the river up onto Dartmoor before heading to Princetown. His route then turns north east to Taunton and on to join the upper reaches of the River Exe before arriving at Exmoor’s North Devon coast. Here he heads due east to Bristol and on to the Cotswolds where he will join the River Thames and follow it down to London, arriving on International Day of Action for Rivers on March 14th.

The aims of the Run for the Rivers campaign.

  • To raise awareness of the widespread levels of pollution in our rivers.
  • Generate sponsorship and donations to support WATER’s work in restoring water quality and habitat across the Erme’s catchment.  
  • Raise the profile of WATER and engage with other river groups along the route.

How you will be able to support John’s RUN FOR THE RIVERS ultramarathon.

Sponsor the run. WATER will soon be announcing the ways in which you can sponsor John on his 400 mile Ultramarathon. Look out for a RUN FOR THE RIVERS message in your inbox.

Are you a river group, a wild swimming group or a local environmental community group concerned about your local river?  Get in touch to co-ordinate publicity for both of us as the run reaches your area. Email:  runfortherivers@ermeriver.org  A route map is shown below and the run timetable will be released shortly.

Look out for a special mailer about our RUN FOR THE RIVERS campaign.