Race report: News from the Brathay 10 in 10 as the 15 participants complete day 5
The 2013 Brathay 10in10, a daunting endurance run, is set to conclude on Sunday 19th May and amongst the 15 strong group of runners, who are looking likely to complete the challenge, are two battle hardened souls from the Northwest.
Phil Eccleston, 35-years-old, form Bolton, has defied medical odds. Following a herniated disc in his spine, just over 12 months ago, he was told by doctors that it wouldn’t be possible for him to run a marathon within 2-3 years.
However, Phil, a member of Burnden Road Runners, has confounded experts to make it onto the starting line at Brathay Hall, in Ambleside, at 9:30am.
The Brathay 10in10 is organised by Brathay Trust, the national charity that improves the life chances of children and young people, as its annual, flagship, fundraising event. The final day coincides with their sister event the Brathay Windermere Marathon.
Running alongside Phil will be the remarkable John McCann. The 61-year-old, from Morecambe, is the oldest runner in this year’s event and he’s been completing each marathon in just over four hours.
Also amongst the runners, is 39-year-old David ‘Foxy’ Bayley, from Milton Keynes. Unbelievably, if Foxy completes the final circuit of Windermere, on Sunday, it will be his fifth successive Brathay 10in10, breaking the current record of four, set by Steve Edwards in 2010.
Phil Eccleston said: “It’s going to be a very emotional experience. Running means everything to me and at one point last year I thought that I may not be able to run again. So to be here, on the verge of completing what runners recognise as THE most difficult endurance challenge, is nothing short of a miracle. The fact that my wife, son and family will be here to cheer me home will also make it a very special day.”
John McCann said: “This has been a huge challenge as, in some ways, you can’t prepare for it. You can put in the physical training but you can’t prepare mentally for the day-to-day slog. I’m proud that I’m still going and I feel quite strong. Hopefully, I may inspire other sexagenarian’s to get out, run and stay healthy.”
Mark Bushell from Brathay Trust said: “The Brathay 10in10 runners are ordinary people doing extraordinary things and they’ve had to put their lives on hold for a year in order to prepare for this event. Their heroic efforts will, importantly, help raise money for Brathay Trust so that we can inspire children and young people to engage positively in their communities.”
It’s hoped that all 15 runners, who started the challenge on Friday 10th May, will make it home on Sunday 19th May.
You can follow the progress of the 10in10 runners at www.brathaywindermeremarathon.org.uk/
If you wish to join the10in10 runners on their final lap, you can still enter the Brathay Windermere Marathon until Thursday night - or you can join the many spectators at the finish at Brathay Hall where there is a Family Fun Day that provides entertainment and activities for family and friends of the runners!
