FROME runner Richard Riley has completed his 56.8km run for the Great Western Air Ambulance, covering the distance the ambulance travelled to rescue him when he was nearly killed in a road traffic accident.
Richard says he couldn’t have done it without the support of his supporters and sponsors, many of which ran alongside him or supported him as he ran.
Richard completed the distance in eight hours and 20 minutes, and with further collections on the day in addition to sponsorship, he has exceeded his fundraising target.
Richard said, “It was hard work, and much harder than I expected! The last ten miles was the dark side of the moon for me, I didn’t know how I’d react. My body was doing some odd things! “I had the generous assistance from Frome Running Club and the Triathalon Club, they were absolutely fantastic. “I’ve been staggered by the amount of support – loads and loads turned out to support me and I could not have done it without them.”
Richard was hit by a car while out running in August, and had to be airlifted to hospital where he spent a day and a half in a coma. He is delighted to have exceeded his target of £1,100, which will enable him to pay back the cost of his rescue, with the money still coming in. But Richard is not sitting back for a rest. He was due to run the Bristol 10k less than a week after, and is looking forward to running the BUPA 10k later this month, particularly as it will take in part of the Olympic marathon course.
Richard would like to thank all his supporters and sponsors. You can still donate to the air ambulance via his website, www.56point8.com Pictured: Richard Riley (right) with members of the Frome Running Club, who supported him during his run.