There were some epic achievements last week.

Debbie and Simon Rycroft ran the Lakeland 100, an annual 100 mile stunning circular route over the Lakeland Fells with a total of over 21,007 feet of climb. The weather was fair but the humidity was high making a mega tough race even tougher. Nearly 700 runners were brave enough to take on the challenge and over 200 retired or were timed out. It was Simon’s fifth consecutive successful completion and the hardest yet. He crossed the finish line in an incredible time of 29 hours 50 minutes earning him an impressive slate trophy for Lakeland 500 legend. Debbie managed to complete an amazing 75 miles before being timed out. Well done, the Rycroft’s.

Ryan Gaughan and Amanda Welburn-Smith chose to do the Lakeland 50, which has over 9,000 feet of climb. Over 1300 runners took on this 50 mile challenge. Ryan started a little back from the front runners, but managed to make his way into the top 20 within the first 4 miles. Feeling strong on the climbs Ryan chased 3rd place as he descended into Coniston. It was an exciting finish with Ryan missing out by 2 seconds clocking 8 hours 5 minutes and placing him 4th overall, although 3rd on chip time.

Amanda was not feeling well before the event and this worsened as the race progressed. She was pulled by medics after 20 miles.

Mike Richmond has been training hard over the summer in preparation for the Leeds Ironman, another huge undertaking. He was very pleased with the 2.4 mile swim, completing it in 1 hours 2 minutes. The 112 mile bike course was a tough 3 lap route with 8,800 feet of ascent. Mike thoroughly enjoyed the route and completed it in 6 hours 22 minutes. The challenge finished with a 26.2 mile 4-lap hilly run, in and around Roundhay park and north Leeds. There was an incredible atmosphere all the way around, with the streets lined with spectators. The most poignant part for Mike was running down the red carpet in the finishers shoot and ringing the first timer’s bell. Mike is very grateful to everyone who has sponsored him, it definitely helped keep him going, knowing he was raising money for Alzheimer’s Society and Parkinson’s UK. Total race time: 11 hours 33 minutes, 17th in age group out of 147, 162nd out of 1,314 competitors.

Paul Simpson took part in the York University Challenge organised by SeeYorkRunYork. Runners race to complete as many 2.3 mile laps within 6 hours so a tough challenge mentally as well as physically. Paul ran
14 laps, totalling 32 miles in 5 hours 41 minutes.

Andrew Bates ran the 25k route in the Glen Tanar Festival of Running. The lovely course with stunning views over the moors, forests and glens took Andrew 2 hours 49 minutes.

On Wednesday evening Shawn Imeson completed the Emma Horrell Canal 10k organised by Manchester Road Runners in 50 minutes 58 seconds.