Equinox24: What Running Taught Me About A-Level Maths

Equinox24: Running, Learning, and the Power of Shared Journeys

I’ve just arrived home from the Equinox24 running festival — and what an unforgettable experience it was. 🌙🏃‍♂️

Over the weekend, I managed 4 x 10k laps. Just shy of a marathon distance, and I’m really happy with that achievement.

But what makes Equinox24 special isn’t just personal milestones. It’s the sheer inclusivity of the event.

On the course you’ll find:

• Elite runners chasing course records, powering up hills, and pushing for the fastest 10k loop times.

• Ultra-marathoners going after the highest number of loops — many of them running continuously for 24 hours without stopping. Honestly, I don’t know how they do it. They’re like machines of consistency, and it’s awe-inspiring to watch.

• Walkers completing a single lap, enjoying the atmosphere at their own pace. I never realised how fast some people can power walk — and I’m not ashamed to say I was overtaken by more than one!

Despite all these differences, everyone is out there together, sharing the same course and the same experience.

And it struck me how much this reflects my work as a maths tutor.

Some students come into A-level maths already flying, aiming for A*s and Oxbridge. Others are steadily building confidence, working towards strong results they can be proud of. But when they learn in groups, something powerful happens. They share the journey. They encourage each other. They discover they can go further than they thought possible.

Just like in running, progress in maths doesn’t come in one leap — it’s lap by lap, topic by topic, step by step. And consistency always wins.

One of the most magical sights at Equinox24 is the trail of headlamps at night, stretching out into the distance. Running under the stars, feeling the wind, seeing the camp lights in the distance — and at one point even spotting the Milky Way overhead — it was unforgettable.

And a personal highlight? Finishing a lap alongside one of my former sixth form students, George Giles, just before he set off on his fifth lap. A full-circle moment I’ll always treasure.

Equinox24 reminded me once again: whether in running or in learning, we all move at different paces, but we share the same journey.

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