The wild, wind-swept cliffs of the British coastline are calling again, and Zoe Langley-Wathen and Mike Langley are answering. In a testament to sheer human resilience and the refusal to let age define capability, the Somerset couple is rebooting their gruelling 7,300-mile trek around Great Britain’s mainland after a stress fracture threatened to derail their dream.

Their journey, dubbed "One Coast Any Age," is more than a walk; it is a defiance of biological clocks. Mike, 73, and Zoe, 54, are attempting to circumambulate the island nation to raise £10,000 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Their first attempt in October 2025 was cut short after a mere 60 miles when Zoe suffered a debilitating stress fracture, forcing a heartbreaking pause. But now, healed and hungrier than ever, they are lacing up their boots to restart from Studland, near Bournemouth.

Walking Through the Pain Barrier

For Mike Langley, the challenge is compounded by his medical history—he is tackling this ultra-endurance feat on two replacement hips. "I was like a caged lion for months," Mike confessed, describing the agony of sitting still while his spirit yearned for the trail. "Now that we’re going again, I’m ready." His determination highlights a growing trend of "silver adventurers" pushing physical limits well into their retirement years.

Zoe’s recovery has been a lesson in patience. "I’m learning to go slowly, not too fast too soon," she said. The couple has spent the downtime in a friend’s flat in Wellington, unable to return to their own home which they had rented out to fund the expedition. This nomadic existence has only sharpened their resolve to get back to the coastline.

• The Route: The 7,300-mile (11,748 km) route traces the entire jagged edge of mainland Britain. It is a path that demands respect, featuring rugged terrain, unpredictable Atlantic weather, and immense isolation.
• The Cause: The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, a lifeline for rural communities, stands to benefit from every mile walked. The couple’s previous send-off by the air crew underscored the vital bond between adventurers and emergency services.

A Love Forged on the Trail

The couple’s backstory is as romantic as it is rugged. They met by chance on the South West Coast Path in 2011—separate souls seeking solace in nature who found each other instead. Three years later, they were married. This shared history makes the "One Coast Any Age" project a celebration of their union as much as a charitable endeavor.

As they step off from Studland on February 4, 2026, they carry with them the hopes of their donors and the admiration of the walking community. They are not just walking for charity; they are walking to prove that adventure doesn't have an expiry date. The coast is long, the winds are cold, but the Langleys are back in the arena.