TWO local men are taking on a 66-mile ultramarathon run along the Isle of Wight coastline in May, to raise money for the children’s charity NSPCC.
Gareth Burgess and Richard Jackson, both from Frome, will be taking on the Isle of Wight Challenge on Saturday 30th April.
Gareth, a 41 year-old father of three said, “This is a big challenge, but it’s going to be spectacular. It will be hard because it’s mainly on coastal paths, so there will be a lot of steps, sand and stones, but we’re hoping to finish it in 15 to 20 hours. The race continues through the night and we want to finish at dawn.
“I started doing challenges like this after quitting drinking and smoking a couple of years ago. I am now trying to set a good example for my children and be someone my wife can be proud of. I completed the Bath Half this month for the second time, and did the Bristol to Bath Marathon last October.
“I run as much as I can, although a broken bone in my foot after a Christmas Day incident involving me, the cat and the Christmas turkey, slowed my training down considerably!
“Richard and I have also completed a number of Tough Mudders and have raised money for the Rainbow Trust, Macmillan, Bath Cats and Dogs Home, and for this challenge we are raising money for the NSPCC.”
Gareth will be joined on the run by his friend Richard Jackson, a 35-year-old father of three and airport firefighter.
Richard said, “This will be, without doubt, the biggest and most demanding physical challenge that Gareth or I will have undertaken. We’re hoping people’s support and donations will help give us the spur-on we will inevitably need to get the job done.”
The men are over a quarter of the way towards their combined £900 target. To sponsor them go to
www.justgiving.com/Gareth-Burgess3 or www.justgiving.com/Rich-Jackson2
