Four Friends run from London to Lancashire

Four rugby team-mates are taking on the challenge of a lifetime this weekend when they attempt to do the impossible and run a non-stop relay of 230 miles in just 48 hours. The challenge – named the Ben Trend Ultra – will see this fearless foursome run from Wimbledon Common, London to Lytham St Annes, Lancashire.

Aodhan Carson (32), Mark Evans (38), Jeavon Trend (32) and Matt Wilkinson (32) will be starting their astonishing endeavour on Friday 2 August at 10am and are hoping to complete the non-stop running challenge by 9am on Sunday 4 August. The quartet will run in pairs and cover 10 miles at a time, equalling a muscle-screaming 115 miles each.

The challenge has been devised to raise money for The Ben Trend Get Involved Foundation, a charity that was set up following the untimely death of 30-year-old Ben Trend in 2010. Ben was an ultra-marathon runner who died tragically of secondary drowning while on holiday in South Africa. This challenge has been created as a fitting tribute to his legacy.

Brother and challenge runner, Jeavon Trend, explains: “Ben was a passionate runner and an accomplished endurance athlete. He ran marathons all over Europe and tackled some of the toughest events in the world, including the 151-mile Marathon des Sables and the 100-mile Mont Blanc Ultra Marathon.

“Following his death my family created the Ben Trend Get Involved Foundation which provides funding and support to individuals and organisations involved in sport in Blackpool and Fylde and SW London – places where Ben lived and loved. We are hoping this event will raise £10,000 which will benefit many sportspeople in these regions who lack crucial funding.”

The challenge is so punishing that there is a risk that not all four runners may complete it, despite extensive and exhaustive training. Runner Mark Evans comments: “Running 130 miles without any sleep is unbelievably strenuous and we’ll have to be very cautious of problems arising from injuries, dehydration and lack of sleep. I have worked out that we will burn over 25,000 calories over the 48-hour event which is equivalent to more than 12 days of food. We will be paying close attention to what we eat and drink to ensure our bodies are capable of coping with the demands that we are asking of ourselves.”

The runners will be followed by two support vehicles including a motorhome for resting and refuelling between relays legs. Two physiotherapists will also form part of the support team to ensure the runners remain in as best shape possible for this arduous task.