Briton & American Conquer Runners' “Everest “
On the 24th May at 8pm Kevin Stroud (Illinois USA), Martin Beale (Bristol) and Dave Burton (Dursley) attempted a feat only previously accomplished by three people: to run the complete Cotswold Way National Trail in 24 hours. This tortuous route covers 105 miles with ascents totalling 14000 feet (Everest Base camp to summit is 11000 feet ascent and 3 miles and now climbed by over 4000 people). Supported by a team of Stroud AC runners, the trio were running to raise funds for the Meningitis Trust and Jonathan Brough, a 20 year old club member who has been left paralysed after contracting meningitis last year.
Starting in perfect conditions at Chipping Camden the runners started off at a startling 8 minute/ mile pace getting well ahead of schedule on the first three legs including the difficult night stages of Cleeve Common to Cranham where Dave Burton had to retire due to stomach cramps. During the night stages the weather deteriorated with gale force winds and driving rain affecting progress. “Fortunately the course winds up, down, and around the Cotswolds, so we sometimes had a tailwind too,” said Kevin Stroud.
By the half way stage which was spent at one of our sponsors, Fifth dimension gym in Stroud, the runners were starting to flag but rallied after smoothies and coffee! The pace for the following stages was slowing as runners battled with lack of sleep, cramp and blisters but they were kept going by the support of other runners who joined in along the way. By the last quarter of the race Martin pulled ahead of Kevin and reached Bath Abbey in a new record time of 22 hours, 44 minutes (Inaugural runner, Frank Thomas holds the record for the old route, south to north - 1994 22h 23m) with Kevin finishing about 25 minutes behind. “The sheer distance of the run meant that we were running on empty for the last couple of hours,” said Martin “At 90 miles the only thing that kept me going was the thought of kissing the doors of Bath Abbey”
To read Martin's account click the following link: http://www.runfurther.com/media/pdf_articles/24_hour_cotswold_way_traverse.pdf
Read Kevin's account of the run at: http://kestrou.com/cotswoldway
So would you like to sponsor this amazing duo? It is a simple, fast and tax efficient way to donate: the Meningitis Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
So please sponsor us now!
Many thanks for your support.
