When we set the challenge for Marathon May, ten brave runners took up the task. The goal was for a team of five to collectively run five marathons each day, across five days – all in aid of one of our chosen charities, Children’s Hospice South West.
The runners were split into two teams of five:
- Team One: Matthew and Lisa Gazzard (subbed in last minute!), Ross Cottrell, Christian Withers, and Katie Ovenden.
- Team Two: Izzy Croker, Will Cross, Zoe Ashby, James Mullins, and Simon Perry, who stepped in after Nathan caught an injury on the Monday.
A special shout out to Izzy for pulling her group together – we wouldn’t have had a second team without her efforts. Group MD Matthew Gazzard kept a diary of the week’s running (accompanied by the obligatory Strava screenshots).
Day 1
Marathon week is here, and the first run is complete!
Back in March, we set the challenge of attempting five marathons each day for five consecutive days as a team of five. It seemed a long way off then, as I personally struggled to go from ‘Couch to 5K’. After a lot of hard yards and cold baths, I feel we have a great chance of completing the challenge.
Day 1 provided perfect running conditions, although it was a tad cold at 6am (2°C!). Crystal blue skies, not a breath of wind, and quiet roads made for an almost enjoyable first run. With good running rhythm I set a strong pace, which I’m not sure will be the same by Friday. Plenty of salt baths over the coming days might help hold my legs together.
The team all completed their runs successfully, so it’s one down – four to go!
Day 2
Who said the treadmill would be easier!?
Good news, bathing in Epsom salts seemed to work, as I didn’t have too many pains and strains from Day 1.
Thought I would protect my knees and go for Day 2 on the treadmill – an awful idea, as it turns out. Spent all the time clockwatching and staring at myself in the mirror. Back on the road tomorrow.
Everyone got their run in, so another successful day for the team. Yesterday’s combined team time for the marathon was 3hrs 46m 18s.
Day 3
The good old British weather!
From the sunny, clear blue skies on Monday to howling wind, driving rain, and aching legs on Wednesday – the mid-point to our challenge just got tough.
Being back on the road made it easier, although there were a few times when it felt like we weren’t actually moving forward! Great route planning from my running partner meant we were only really battered by the weather for the first kilometre and the last couple.
We’re over the halfway point now, so extra Epsom salts required this evening! The team once again all delivered, and we’re very glad to say there’s only two more days to go. Yesterday’s combined team time for the marathon was an amazing 3hrs 40m 20s – a 6 minute reduction the overall time from yesterday. Impressive stuff.
Day 4
Treadmills are officially harder
With further indifferent weather conditions, my revised plan was to try out the treadmill in the gym at work. Unfortunately, it proved to be just as painful as my previous treadmill experience, with the slight positives of no mirror and a better playlist!
A higher quality treadmill did provide a TV screen that played a running route. However, when the virtual runner ran up hill (without affecting the incline of the treadmill itself) it actually only served to make the run feel even harder – very off putting.
The good news is that we’ve completed four runs and have just one to go! Another successful day’s runs from the team, all finished without injury. Yesterday’s combined team time for the marathon was 3hr 42m 18s – just under 2 minutes slower than Tuesday, but again a fantastic achievement.
Day 5
It feels like we’ve run a marathon (or five)
Thankfully the week ended as it started with almost perfect conditions – gone was the wind and the rain, replaced by clear blue skies and perfect calm. For the running, not quite so! The rigours of the week definitely started to take their toll. New trainers caused a lost toenail on my right foot and hamstrings tighter than a freshly tuned guitar. The peace of the countryside was shattered by my laboured breathing and groans of pain – causing more than one concerned look from the locals.
Aches and pains aside, the challenge is finally complete, and the running shoes can be hung up for now. Whilst it’s tempting to say, ‘Never again’, the Children Hospice is such a fantastic cause it keeps drawing you back in – so never say never.
With all runs completed, today’s time was an amazing 3hr 33m 48s – the fastest of the week! I personally had nothing left to give, so not sure where that came from, but amazing job team! A huge thanks to my amazing team of fellow runners: Ross Cottrell, Christian Withers, last minute stand-in Lisa Gazzard, and of course our ultimate Goonvean charity warrior Katie Ovenden, who is there for every monumental challenge and our key organiser.
We were all equally glad to have completed the challenge, but perhaps our sentiments are best summarised by Ross, who said: ‘What a week – I have enjoyed it, but I’m glad it’s done!’
Some stats from Marathon week
- Fastest segment time: Christian – 38m 24s
- Fastest full marathon time: Ross – 3hr 22m 30s
- Fastest team marathon time: Team 1 Friday – 3hr 33m 48s
- Most improved time over the week: Will Cross – 3m 12s faster from Monday to Friday
- Most consistent: Ross Cottrell – 2m 10s between fastest and slowest run
- Best last minute stand-in: Simon Perry – Stood in on Tuesday and for the rest of the week due to an injury on Monday, then also ran on Saturday to make sure he completed the marathon. Thank you Simon!
And the most incredible statistic of all: collectively, our runners raised a huge £4,131 for Children’s Hospice South West.
There’s still time to sponsor our runners
A huge thank you to those who have already kindly sponsored this challenge – Marathon Week might be done, but there’s still time to sponsor our runners on our JustGiving page. 45 minutes of pain each day for a week is absolutely nothing compared to the endurance of families who have sick children – families Children’s Hospice South West are able to help with the money we raise.
If you fancied trying a running challenge, but wanted more time to train, CHSW also sponsor RUN Barnstaple. You can run a marathon, half marathon, or 10km on Sunday 27th September and raise money for this wonderful charity at the same time. There’s also a final mile that all the family can join in with.
Thank you again for your kind support.
