Why did a London publican walk nearly 60 miles in one day in 1767?

A rabbit hole of historical curiosity triggered by a recent ‪@TweedyPubs‬ video:    • Fenchurch Street Pubs  

I found a newspaper article about the Ship, on Talbot Court, near Fenchurch Street, dated 1767. It details an account of the publican at that time, one Mr. Stiff, having undertaken a bet to walk from his pub to the 26 mile stone at Maidenhead, and back again, in 24 hours. At the time it was "deemed a very extraordinary affair, especially when the great age of the publican is considered".

That got me wondering just how old was Mr. Stiff? ...and why did he choose the 26 mile stone at Maidenhead as the target for this great feat of endurance?

Join me for a search through old records, and retracing the route he may have taken on old maps (thanks to the 18th century's superstar cartographer John Rocque) as I delve a bit deeper into this quirky historical anecdote.