Selby man running 151km in 24 hours
He’s raising funds for Doncaster’s St John’s Hospice as a thank you for the "fantastic" care his mum received there.
The branch manager with pumping solutions business, Selwood, has published his itinerary for running the punishing equivalent of a staggering 3.6 marathons, starting off at the Harlington Inn, near Doncaster at 11am on Friday 22 October 2021, then grinding his way along the Trans Pennine Trail on route to his finishing point on the east coast at Hornsea at between 10.30 and 11am on Saturday 23rd October 2021.
Mike, 43, from Hemingbrough, near Selby, chose the 151 kilometres (nearly 94 miles) target because it was the combined age of his parents Bob and Shirley, from Kirk Sandall, when they passed away – mum in 2019 and dad in June this year.
The keen athlete has set the challenge of raising £1,510 for St John’s – £10 for every year of his mum and dad’s life.
"My mum was the sole carer for my dad for 20-odd years, and when she got poorly he had to go into care with Parkinsons.
"Mum couldn't thank St John's Hospice enough for all they did for her. They were brilliant with her, to the point where she said to us on a daily basis 'this is like a five star hotel!' We raised a few collections for them through the funeral collection, and I decided I wanted to do something big to honour both my parents.
"I picked the Trans Pennine trail because it's a nice route, and I wanted to finish somewhere nice - I decided on the seaside. I'll start in Hornsea and then work my way back 151km to Conisbrough, which is near St John's.
"I'm doing it for the cause at the end of the day, and the hospice who gave my mum so much support. They went above and beyond.
"I’ve linked into the 75th anniversary celebrations of Selwood, as this year they are planning to raise £75,000 for charity. They are supporting my challenge and I also have set up a donation page for anyone else who would like to contribute."
Mike says he has a plan in place to help tackle the challenge.
"I've got a good friend Neil who is biking with me along all the way, and some people running part of the way with me in different segments. I've done a few marathons before so I'm not shy of getting in some distances and training, and I've done plenty of runs to get my legs prepared for this. I'm fully ready for what's coming at me.
"Hopefully this will put St John's on the map a bit in terms of what they do for families around the area. I'll be looking to do other challenges as well moving forward, and I hope it inspires others".
Hospice fundraiser Lindsey Richards said: "What an amazing feat to undertake to help St John’s, we can’t thank Mike and his Selwood colleagues enough for their support and commitment".
The link to Mike's fundraising page can be found here.