Starts In Cumbria On Friday 13th May
The most daunting endurance run in the world, the Brathay Windermere 10 in 10, is set to start in Ambleside on Friday 13th May. And participants in the 262 mile challenge, that manifests itself in the form of 10 marathons over 10 consecutive days, are sure to gain the respect of more than just the running community as they pound the pavements and roads around Windermere, arguably the most picturesque marathon course in Europe, in order to raise much needed funds for charity.
The 10 in 10, organised by Brathay Trust, the Ambleside based national charity that inspires young people to become successful, confident and responsible citizens, looks set to raise thousands of pounds for good causes as a record 15 runners have registered for this year’s event. And each one of them will have to push themselves to the very limit of physical endurance if they’re going to complete the course.
Brathay Trust spokesman Mark Bushell said: “The runners have put their lives on hold for a year in order to get themselves into the best possible shape for this event. It’s not only a tremendous physical challenge, due to the undulating nature of the course, but will also test their mental strength to the full. The ‘Groundhog Day’ effect of running the same course, day in day out, has seen some of the finest runners fail to complete the challenge in the past.”
And this year’s line-up of runners includes some fascinating characters all determined not to be broken by the 10 in 10 challenge. As Bushell explained: “We’ve got Howard Clark a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy, currently based in Bahrain, who’s having to train in the steam-room environment of the gym within his naval base. Then there’s 73 year old John Dawson who’s attempting to become the oldest person to complete the course. He only started running after suffering a heart attack, aged 55, and last year he lost an eye through cancer, his is an unbelievable story. We also have Dave ‘Foxy’ Bayley who recently secured a Guinness Book of Records entry after becoming the fastest man to run the London marathon dressed as a Life Guard!”
The 15 runners set off from Brathay Hall, in Ambleside, on Friday 13th May at 10.00am and conclude their challenge on Sunday 22nd May.
It’s sure to be a highly emotional experience for all those involved particularly those running in memory of ‘loved ones’.
It’s hoped that this year’s event will further illustrate the significance of the 10 in10, which is governed by UK Athletics, as the world’s ultimate endurance run.
