Lucky Brathay 13

25 MAY2011

The unique Brathay 10 in 10 Challenge had 13 winners as all the competitors who had set out on Black Friday (May 13) completed the remarkable feat of running 10 marathons in 10 days - 262 miles. The biggest cheer of Day 10 (Sunday) was reserved for 73 year old John Dawson who became the oldest person to run 10 marathons in 10 consecutive days.

Andy Nice stopped his watch at 35 hours 50 minutes and 40 seconds when he finished the final marathon, first home as he had been on the previous 9 days. John Errington (Bracknell Forest Runners) was second overall, 28 minutes ahead of Malc Collins (Astley & Tyldesley Road Runners), who saved his best for last - 3:38:33 for his 10th 26.2 mile effort.

David Bayley and Howard Clark had a good tussle for 4th place while Noel Jones and Matt Cawood scrapped for 6th spot. These mini-contests provided light relief over the gruelling 10 days as individual commitment and mutual support combined to keep the participants on track.

Vanessa Buckle, Penny Moreton, Amanda Heslegrave and Elizabeth Tunna where the 'women on a mission' and Bourneville Harrier Mark Lynoch finished in style with two good late runs. The remarkable Mr Dawson 'kept right on till the end of the road', his endeavours had lasted for just short of 70 hours, but his success was the crowning achievement for the Lucky 13.

700 runners took part in Sunday's main Brathay Marathon with the experienced Stephen Littler of Wesham Road Runners leading the race from the start. He covered the challenging 26.2 mile route in an impressive 2:32:08, taking a minute and a half out of the course record. Nicola Shaw (3:11:53) was the first female to cross the line.

Mr Marathon Steve Edwards completed his 550th race at the distance in 3:09:37 but praised the 10in10 team: "First time with 100% completion, phenomenal achievement, felt privileged to witness, massive congratulations to you all."

Main image of the Brathay 13 is reproduced courtesy of athletesinaction.co.uk and there are lots of great photos of the event on the athletesinaction website.

Race reports and runner blogs on the Brathay website.