90 marathons in 90 days?

PCT: It’s estimated someone would have to complete five million steps to traverse the entire 2,650-mile-long Pacific Crest Trail. Charles Costa isn’t counting but each of his steps has a purpose - supporting charities focused on emotional health and suicide prevention.

The British-born singer/songwriter’s goal is to “run the equivalent of 90 marathons in 90 days to support the invaluable work carried out by James’ Place, a

A decade ago, a skiing accident left Costa with a brain trauma that continues to shape his mental health journey. “This cause resonates deeply with me,” he says. “I’ve gained profound empathy for those grappling with similar struggles,” he adds.

A run from Canada to Mexico along the legendary Pacific Crest Trail is, in itself a challenge. This year there was more to face than just the mileage.

“Oregon started with a fire diversion from Eagle Creek to Lola Pass,” he recalls. “I was coming out of Washington semi-traumatized by the elevation gain and expecting Oregon to be - as everybody had told me - very much flatter and faster hiking. By the time I was scaling Mount Hood, I knew this might have been an overstatement!”

For Costa, formerly known as King Charles, any challenges he might encounter are offset by benefits he hopes his journey will generate for James’ Place — a nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention for men — and the Jed Foundation, which is centered on protecting emotional health and preventing suicide for teens and young adults in the U.S.

Out on the trail, people he’s encountered have bolstered his feeling he’s on the right track. “After the first day, we ran across trail angel ‘Right Time’ who was good company and was gathering weary hikers just when they needed him,” Costa reports. “As novices to the world of thru-hiking we have been sponges to mission intelligence from seasoned pros.

Then, there’s also the area itself. “Some stunning scenery, long days, and greedy berry-picking sessions took me through Olallie Lake where we found some beautiful camping,” he says. “I had energizing chats with other thru-hikers - tho all nobos about the berries, the trail, and life’s relatables.”

He adds he was grateful that there were more in-roads to the trail than in Washington. “I was down to my running vest and moving quickly to Big Lake where more trail magic kept me busy while the van got some repairs. We had a dinner party with guests we had just met on the shore of the lake.”

His other observations about Oregon included the lava fields and “no one had warned me that this was imminent. Slow moving 14 hrs later I was pitching my tent. Fortunately, the day was punctuated by yet more blessed trail magic where I loaded up on cold sodas and went on my dishevelled way. High climbs over and around the Sisters peaks at sunset were delightful.”

Over the past year Costa says he’s been hearing from “more and more friends, and friends of friends, that have taken their lives, and the profound impacts that result, “are such great causes to raise money for.”

His goal is to finish his run on October 20th near the Mexico border.

The experience, Costa says, has had special meaning for him. “I believe there’s a strong interconnection between running on the trail and making music to keep my mind and emotions balanced. After I’ve been running, I feel free and completely released from the struggles I face when I wake up. No other therapy can come close to the healing I experience from running and singing.”

People who want to help out can donate to James’ Place, by visiting bit.ly/3AgFPsD or the Jed Foundation at: tinyurl.com/zm6d66mw

Costa is relaunching his music career under his given name, Charles Costa, and will be releasing new singles starting this September, providing a soundtrack to his run.

You can follow his progress on Instagram @charlescostaofficial