John Reynolds took on his last big training run in the build-up to his epic 140 miles non-stop run in May on behalf of Children’s Hospice South West. He ran the entire length of the Wessex Ridgeway Relay route, a race event to be held later in the year that usually involves teams of 6 runners for the 68 miles. His previous training runs have included The Green Man Challenge (48 miles circumnavigating Bristol), and The Mendip Way (also 48 miles from Uphill near Weston Super Mare to Frome).
Starting at 5.00am, with the sun coming up, he was joined on the Wessex Ridgeway by members of several local running clubs, including Wells City Harriers, Mendip Hills Hash House Harriers and the Gillingham Trotters. The start was at Tollard Royal, near Sherborne in Dorset, and travels along roads and tracks, and across fields with many stunning views. The countryside varies dramatically, with valleys, hills and many historical features such as Iron Age hill forts and sleepy villages (well, they are at 5 in the morning!).
The run was split into 12 legs of between 5 and 9 miles, with support runners choosing to do from 2-5 legs each. One support runner, Inès Braun, chose to do 8 legs, and covered a total of 42 sun-baked miles. Various other partners and spouses provided the all important logistical support, ferrying hot and tired runners back and fore, and providing much needed drinks and snacks.
The finish was planned for 10.00pm in Uplyme, near Lyme Regis, some 17 hours after the start. But John managed an amazing sprint finish for the last 1.5 miles to come in one hour and forty five minutes ahead of schedule. He was overjoyed with the achievement of the day, having struggled up many a Dorset hill. “It was an amazing team effort, and I can’t thank the supporters enough. This gives me a real confidence boost for the big run in May. The legs are tired, but I feel fantastic!”
Many thanks to:
Laurie and Aidan Phippard, Ines Braun and her partner Martin, Tony Hogg, Jason Keast, Martyn Cox, Ian Carpenter, Pat and Chris Challis, Lucy Chard, Helen Rutter, Paul Chadwick, Elly Milln, Mike Brown and Bob Powell.