Mike is a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Mike and his wife have a 9 year old daughter with the condition. Cystic Fibrosis is the UK’s most common inherited, life-threatening disease. He has completed other endurance events in the past for the charity, including cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats in 6 days and running Hadrian’s Wall on 2 occasions, the second of which was run in under 24 hours and he and his fellow runners held the record for a time. He also organises a running event called the May Hill Massacre, which is a 9 mile multi terrain race where all profits are donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Mike had promised his wife that his latest fund raising event would be local, so thought running the Cotswold Way would be an ideal challenge.
During training sessions, Mike had covered all of the 103 miles, albeit in sections. He had also run sections during the night, which was usually in filthy weather. The longest training run Mike had to prepare himself was 43 miles.
Mike is a member of the Almost Athletes running club - a very supportive and friendly club. Four members of the club – Matt Reid, Nick Lewis, Duncan Mounsor and Marek Wojaszek agreed to run approx 26 miles each with Mike, to pace him and keep him company. He also had the support of 2 trusted support drivers who met him every 10 miles or so with food, water and dry clothes.
Mike and his first running companion were started at Chipping Campden on Friday 30th April at 9pm by an official timekeeper. They reached Cleeve Hill golf course at approx 12.40am with a welcome party from the running club. While running over Cleeve, Mike twisted his ankle and soon afterwards, on Leckhampton Hill, was met with heavy rain and thick fog. By the time they reached Birdlip, Mike was in need of a break and so had a 13 minute sleep – which improved his motivation.
The third running partner joined Mike at Edge, nr Painswick. Whilst running, Mike managed to carry out a live BBC radio interview. They pushed on until Wotton Under Edge, where Mike met his fourth and final running mate for the last leg of the challenge. Mike knew, that with 29 miles to go, his goal was achievable. When they reached Cold Ashton, they were met by a huge number of Almost Athletes with banners to cheer them along their way. 2 more runners joined them for the last 11 miles. Seeing his fellow running club members and friends there to support him, was a tremendous lift for Mike.
He picked up the pace over the last 4 miles and was met at Bath Municipal Golf Course by more club runners, who ran with Mike through Bath to the finish. Adrenaline and excitement had kicked in and he managed to sprint the last mile to Bath Abbey, which is the end of the Cotswold Way.
An official timekeeper met Mike at the finish to verify the finishing time of 23 hours, 48 mins and 7 seconds. Then followed lots of celebration from Mike, his club and support drivers.
After finishing, Mike admitted that completing the run had been very challenging - 30% physical and 70% mental – but worth every minute to raise money for the charity.
To find out more about the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, visit their website at: www.cftrust.org.uk