Chris Finill, Harrows legendary marathon man, has completed his John O’Groats to Lands End epic run after 43 days and totaling up 999.84 miles on the road! Julia, his trusted road manager, managed a mere 4,600 miles in the support car as she kept up a steady supply of half tins of baked beans whilst on the road 😉 Just like the old school relay days, I’m told there were also copious quantities of tea and record setting amounts of cake consumed along the way. Chris’s feet are intact and he says that he ran about 70% of the distance in one pair of trainers – so much for those elite athletes changing their sponsors shoes every 50 – 100 miles! If your visiting Keswick in the Lake District for your summer holidays (I am!) he also recommends the running shop with the landmark model gorilla outside as being particularly good value 🙂
Chris ran into a headwind for most of the challenging ‘Pheidippidien‘ route but was pleased that the Scottish midges were mostly absent although the wet weather in Peak District and Yorkshire Dales was tough. Chris enjoyed some good running buddies along the way including spells with Geoff Wightman (Jakes dad), Nick Rowe (Harrow County GS), Mike Peace (Ever Present), Steve Bland (Harrow) and Marcus Brown (L. Heathside). For his next ultra challenges, Chris is thinking about the Jos Naylor round (a fell racing challenge) and possibly another 24 hour track race – but we’re hoping Julia may talk some sense into him on that last one! Although Chris & Julia are now enjoying a well earned rest at home, its not too late to sponsor their charity endeavors via this link on Givewheel.
