Runner completes 100km challenge for Daventry hospital

Following on from April’s Coast2Coast Solo Cycle and June’s 53.5 mile Race to the King Ultramarathon, September 17 and 18 saw Steve Brooks take on his third and final Big Crazy Challenge of the year for the Cawthorne Ward at Danetre Hospital.

Equinox24 is a 24-hour running race on a 10km mixed terrain course in the grounds of Belvoir Castle.

The challenge starts at midday on Saturday and finishes at midday on Sunday with the winner being the person who completes the most laps during that period. The race can be entered as teams of up to eight, but Steve raced solo.

Steve said: “My first target was to get to 10 laps and 100km and then hope to keep moving but my ankles had taken such a battering over the uneven ground, especially during the night, that during the last lap I could no longer run uphill or downhill. As soon as I finished my 10th lap my head said no more!

“Unfortunately we had a spell of heavy rain before the start which made some of the course a bit tricky; the first off-road section involved running across a slope for about half a kilometre, which was a bit tough on the ankles after a few laps, and at 6.5km we encountered “That Hill” which stood up well to the rain and foot traffic but was really hard work.

“Equinox24 was mentally tough due to the laps which meant there was always the opportunity to stop every 10km, but the support from other runners, marshals and families was awesome.

“Although Race to the King and Equinox24 were tough, it’s nothing like what the patients and families in the Palliative Care Ward at Danetre are going through.

“The care that Patsy and her team provided for Dad, and the support they gave us through that difficult time, was amazing.

“This year has been all about showing the Cawthorne Team how much we appreciated their support and work, and to try to raise some funds on the way.

“So far we’ve managed to smash my original target of £750 and the total currently stands at £1,733 plus £323 of Gift Aid. I’d like to thank everyone who has donated to the cause so far.

“I’ve had messages from other families who had a similar experience to us and people who knew my Dad from his motorcycling and plumbing days.”

Anyone wanting to support Steve and the Friends of Danetre Hospital can donate via www.justgiving.com/Steve-Brooks6