We (Jim, Richard Buchan, John Calder and Andy Prout - this is our only fundraising page) are taking on this challenge in support of the Chloe10for10 campaign — celebrating the legacy of Chloe, the firstborn daughter of John and Lorna Calder, while raising money to support premature and sick babies and their families.

Pete Reeve unable to make the challenge is taking on the Ridgeway and Le Mans - see update!

Every donation will help families facing incredibly difficult circumstances, and that’s what will keep us moving long after our legs have stopped cooperating.

So, for reasons still unclear — mainly because it started as an off-the-cuff comment after a few drinks — we have decided to take on the Steel Cotton Trail, which only opened in 2025… except we’re doing it backwards, turning Cotton to Steel as we head from Manchester to Sheffield over a very sensible 62.8 miles (101km). And for some reason, we’re doing a large chunk of it during the night!

This is a completely self-supported attempt at an ultra marathon. We won’t be quick, but hopefully we’ll still be moving by the end and somehow make it to Sheffield. Jim and Rich are aiming to do the whole lot, John and Andy will be completing about half and also supporting the two nutters!

Preparation has been… mixed.

Rich hasn’t really been able to run for over a month.

Jim believes his daily 3-mile jog fully qualifies him for an ultra-distance expedition.

Meanwhile, John has at least been preparing properly following his efforts in the London Marathon and, alongside Andy, will be completing numerous stages themselves (targeting 31 miles) while also providing the all-important logistical support — mainly food and drink!

Behind the inevitable suffering, blisters, complaints, exhaustion, hallucinations, and poor decision-making, we’re hoping to complete this challenge and raise as much money as possible for an incredible cause.

Thank you for supporting us — because there’s a very real chance we’ll regret this somewhere around mile 5, if not before!