Andy Ripley won 24 caps with England in the 1970s, was a star of the BBC’s Superstars series in the 1980s, and almost became the first 50-year-old to row in the Boat Race for Cambridge when he returned to university to complete a degree in the 1990s  

 Last year, Andy was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and gave an in depth interview to The Sunday Times on Oct 23^rd 2005 to help raise awareness of this illness that affects so many. You can read the article here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2094-1838551,00.html  

Martyn Low (Andy’s friend) decided he wanted to do something in Andy’s name to help raise awareness of Andy’s cause.  The net result was the Ripley Relay’s that took place at the TCR Show (www.swimcyclerun.co.uk) in the NetFit Arena (www.netfit.co.uk) Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey on March 25^th & 26^th.  

Saturday the 25^th had Martyn Low, Andy Burrows, Megan Brown, Brian Garner, Niall Williams, Kelly Sapsford, Kay Hughes, John Davies, Gary Blackman & Chris Heth, begin a 24hr relay at 12noon, finishing at 1pm BST on Sunday 26th, and having rowed over 360,000m between them!  

Sunday the 26th, starting at 10am had Hywel Davies set a new WR for a treadmill 50k run.  Sustaining 16kph for the whole duration and picking up the pace to 20kph in the last 800m Hywel crossed the line in 3hr 7min 21sec.

Then at 1:30pm the Mens Team Marathon Record attempt began.  Andy Sangster had to withdraw the night before through injury, so Nik Fleming, Tony Larkman & Stuart Williams made a brave decision to still attempt it with just 3 men.  It paid off, taking over 2 minutes off the old record.  New Record stands at 2hrs 15min 51.5 sec.  1:36.5 ave/500m. Report from Team Captain Nik Fleming here: http://www.concept2.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10289&start=15

Starting at 2pm was the 50k sprint relays. 6 members of the 24hr row took part in the All-Stars Team with 4 slightly fresher people on board, while flying all the way from Italy, FIBRA Rowing Team went Head-To-Head with the MAD Team.

All 3 teams performed above expectations.  FIBRA set a new Italian National Record, just a short distance behind the MAD Team who set the UK record, while the ALL Stars Team were not too far behind despite obvious tiredness with 6 members who had now been racing for close to 27hrs!

MAD Team IRC: 2hr 23min 39.3sec - 1:26.1 ave/500m. - Kev Peebles, Rob Smith, Graham Parker, Jon Goodall, Pete Marston, Chris Barker, Kelly Sapsford, Siobhan Woodcock, Shelly Wilkins & Kara Wirt.

FIBRA Rowing Team: 2hr 29min 45.7sec - 1:29.8 ave/500m - Antonello Cantera, Luigi Manes, Claudio Varamo, Diego Rivieri, Sabrina Gasperat, Gianmaria Grassi, Maria Grazia Giampa, Alex Etzi & Angela Price.

ALL-STARS (Oarsome Old Taff Flyers):  2hr 38min 30.6sec - 1:35.1 ave/500m - Dave Speed, Xavier Disley, Kerry Loan, Dougie Lawson, Niall Williams, Gary Blackman, Andy Burrows, Megan Brown, Brian Garner & Kay Hughes.

Special thanks to Roscoe Nash who gave the rowers free use of the NetFit arena to compete.  Janice & Pete Marston for all their time and effort in providing all the food for everyone. Adam & Laura for the countless hours of Sports Massage provided, and a very special thanks to TAUT (www.taut.co.uk) who gave all the rowers free use of their sports drinks and paid for the 24hr row to be staged at Sandown Park.  Without Roscoe Nash & TAUT, this event would never have happened!

**** ALSO ON MAY 21ST,  RUGBY SCHOOL WILL BE HOLDING A 50K RELAY ON CONCEPT 2'S BETWEEN STAFF AND THE PUPILS. THIS WILL CONSIST OF A MALE AND FEMALE TEAM FOR BOTH STAFF AND PUPILS. THESE WILL ALSO BE THE FIRST EVER FEMALE TEAMS TO RECORD A 50K, SO WILL BE SETTING A BENCHMARK FOR THIS EVENT! ****

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor Andy: The Prostate Cancer Charity 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 Andy now!

Many thanks for your support.