On Friday, June 13, at noon, Reuben Gray—known from Britain’s Got Talent—and Matt Brinkley, a British Army reservist and Exeter University alumnus, will commence a unique endurance challenge: an 801-mile walk from Oxford Circus, London, to Val Thorens in the French Alps. Distinctively, both participants will undertake the entire journey wearing full ski attire, including ski boots—footwear in which most would struggle to walk even a short distance.
The route will take Gray and Brinkley from central London through Kent to Dover, across the Channel by ferry to Dunkirk, and onward through Belgium, Luxembourg, France, and Switzerland, before concluding in Val Thorens. The trek is expected to last 45 days.
The challenge, titled “No Lifts, Just Legs,” aims to raise significant funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and Snow Camp, a UK charity dedicated to transforming young lives through snow sports. In addition, this event marks the official launch of King of the Hill, a new app designed to simplify, gamify, and enhance the social aspect of planning group adventure trips. The app, powered by AI, is scheduled for release in November.
Reuben Gray’s motivation for this journey is deeply personal, inspired by the memory of his late godfather, Jerry Chilvers, and his battle with cancer. Gray states: “We are not just ‘walking the talk’; we are putting our core belief in shared human endeavour to the ultimate test. This 801-mile trek is a raw demonstration of everyday resilience in extraordinary circumstances. It is for everyone who dares to dream big, and most importantly, for the vital work of Snow Camp and Macmillan Cancer Support.”
Matt Brinkley added, “This challenge embodies teamwork and fortitude—qualities at the heart of the best group adventures. It is not about publicity or a few blisters; it is about grit, camaraderie, and pushing the boundaries of what we believe is possible. Through this journey, we hope to illustrate the purpose of King of the Hill: to encourage individuals to overcome challenges together and to enjoy meaningful experiences alongside friends.”
Their progress will be tracked in real-time by GPS tracking partner ZeroSixZero, enabling the public to follow their journey via an interactive map. The event will feature daily video diaries, live GPS updates, industry leader meetups, and special activations, capturing every aspect of this demanding endurance challenge.
To follow their progress or contribute to their fundraising efforts, please visit:
- Website: kingofthehill.co.uk
- Instagram: @kingofthehillrace
- TikTok: @kingofthehill.app
- Donate: JustGiving
Looks like he’s really going to push the design limits on those Salomon SX 82’s. Haven’t seen something like that since Girardelli hung it up in 96.