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The Longest Round

Cycling 1,800 miles across four countries and swimming two seas to deliver one message. Raising vital funds and awareness for men's mental health and suicide prevention.

0 Miles To Morocco

The Story

Why I'm doing this

Darren Barker and Ricky Hatton

"As long as I am here, I want to help people."

Those words from Ricky Hatton have stayed with me. They capture the kind of person Ricky was - someone who cared deeply about others and wanted to make a difference. As a fellow boxer, I always admired Ricky's fighting spirit, but it was his commitment to helping people that inspired me to take on The Longest Round.

This August, I will take on a journey never attempted before - I will cycle and swim from Edinburgh to Morocco. That's over 1,200 miles across four countries, 30 miles across two seas. But this challenge is about more than distance. It's about starting conversations, reminding people they are not alone and helping people feel they can speak up when they're struggling.

Ricky was a long-term ambassador for CALM and a passionate supporter of its mission to prevent suicide and help people through their darkest moments. He leaves behind a legacy that has helped untold numbers of people. I want to carry that commitment forward by continuing to raise awareness, challenge stigma and help more people access the support they need.

£12.20 could fund a potentially life-saving call to CALM's suicide prevention helpline. My goal is to raise £100,000 - that could potentially save 8,196 lives.

Please donate if you can. Together, we can honour Ricky's memory and continue the work he cared so deeply about.

The Route

Edinburgh to Morocco

Four extreme stages, combining long-distance cycling with two of the world's most iconic open-water swims, plotted from each stop's real coordinates. Check back for my latest location and stop-offs.

Latest Update

Today on the road

Darren's Journal
Progress

Pace To Morocco

Cumulative miles travelled against a 100 mile per day target.

0Miles Cycled · All-Time
Actual 100 mi/day target
Pace To Morocco

Overall
vs Target
Next Swim

Personal Bests
What's Driving It

The Team

Names who have joined me on The Longest Round

Friends, supporters and fellow athletes join Darren for a leg, or part of a leg, across the route. Check the app for each participant's overview.

Journey Archive

Every day, logged

A day-by-day record of The Longest Round. Tap any entry to see the full breakdown.

Why This Ride

Every mile has a purpose

The Longest Round exists for men's mental health and suicide prevention - inspired by Darren Barker's final conversation with the late Ricky Hatton. Every mile cycled and every stroke swum raises awareness and funds for two charities doing the work on the ground.

The Ricky Hatton Foundation CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably
The Ricky Hatton Foundation Campaign Against Living Miserably
Thank You

Sponsors & Partners

The organisations and people making The Longest Round possible.

Follow The Journey

On Instagram

Live updates, behind-the-scenes footage, and daily check-ins from the road and sea.