Student who finished Arctic to Africa mega triathlon now plans to run 'round the M25' in memory of fiancée

Matthew Hollingham, a 25-year-old university student from Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, has completed an unprecedented 61-day triathlon journey from the Arctic to Africa, raising £30,000 for children’s charities in memory of his late fiancée, Lovisa Arnesson-Cronhamre. Now, he is preparing for another ambitious challenge, running around the M25, London’s orbital motorway, this time to continue supporting the same charitable causes. The M25, known for its high-speed traffic and dense commuter flow, presents a unique obstacle. As pedestrians are prohibited from using the motorway itself, Hollingham intends to complete the 114-mile route via a complex network of minor roads, footpaths, and underpasses that mirror the motorway’s path. This unconventional approach reflects his belief that fundraising efforts should be both attention-grabbing and audacious. “What’s more moronic than running the M25?” he remarked. “Obviously I can’t run on the actual London Orbital as it is illegal and would probably infuriate several thousand commuters.” Hollingham’s previous triathlon, which spanned eight countries and included swimming through frigid Arctic waters, running 37 marathons, and cycling 1,865 miles, was hailed as an extraordinary achievement. Quadruple World Ironman champion Chrissie Wellington described it as “a mind-bendingly epic feat.” The journey, undertaken in memory of Lovisa, who died in a hit-and-run road accident while studying at Pennsylvania State University in September 2023, was deeply personal for Hollingham. “I did it all for Lovisa,” he said. “And I would do it again to see her one more time. She is, and will always be, my fiancée.” The decision to focus his next challenge on local terrain was influenced by considerations for his family. He acknowledged that the Arctic to Africa trek placed a greater emotional and physical toll on them than on himself. “This latest decision to keep my next challenge firmly on ‘home tarmac’ was made with family in mind,” he explained. “The last trek was more of a strain on them than it was on me.” Hollingham’s fundraising efforts are driven by a desire to honor Lovisa’s wish to become a mother. By supporting children’s charities, he aims to give back to the children she never had. “She left a void of kindness in the world, and so I am doing my best to fill it,” he said. Despite the logistical challenges, including navigating the Thames at Dartford and dealing with the unpredictable nature of the route, Hollingham remains undeterred. He welcomes any advice from fellow runners or supporters, emphasizing that the M25 run will be an “immense next step” for the causes he supports. His determination underscores a commitment that extends beyond physical endurance, it is a tribute to love, loss, and the enduring impact of a life cut short.