Sixteen fundraising heroes to tackle 10in10
Sixteen fundraising heroes have just 16 more weeks of training left before they will tackle ten marathons in ten days around Lake Windermere this May.
Their feat, described by adventurer and extreme survival expert Bear Grylls as “an epic challenge that will require an epic strength of mind”, will raise thousands of pounds for the Ambleside based charity, Brathay Trust and its work with young people.
“Whilst it can take months and months to train for one marathon, a 26.2 miles test of physical endurance, these committed individuals will have spent much longer preparing to run 10 back to back marathons” said Head of Fundraising Scott Umpleby.
The 16 runners met for the first time in January (9th - 11th Jan) to recce the course, share strategies and get to know their support team.
Having been offered a place in one of the world’s most difficult marathon challenges, the two day training event marks the point at which the idea of participating becomes a reality for the participants.
“The training weekend helps everyone get ready for May” explained Scott. “The runners meet each other and the Brathay support team, they get important advice on hydration, nutrition and sports therapy and, most importantly, they run a practice marathon”.
Each 10in10 runner has to raise at least £3,000 in order to compete in the event. Since it started nine years ago, and along with the one day Brathay Windermere Marathon and Family Fun Day, over £600,000 has been raised by runners for Brathay’s work with children and young people.
Ranging in age from 26 to 59 years old, with a fairly even split of males and females, the majority of the runners this year are in their 40’s. One participant wants to complete the challenge for the sixth time, five are tackling it for the fifth time and nine are new to the event. All of the participants come from the UK.
Runner details and blogs can be found on the dedicated website set up by the charity http://www.brathaywindermeremarathon.org.uk.
A flagship fundraiser for the charity, the 10in10 starts on Friday 8 May and ends on Sunday 17 May.