In 2009 and 2010 the Challenge only covered walking over various distances: 6, 10, 15 or the full 26 miles each day. At the end of 2010 Glen was approached by several friends James Heath a triathlete from Barrow and Glenn Morris a cyclist from Bury St Edmunds to add ‘running’ and ‘cycling’ to the event. The Great Barrow Challenge was born. With the increase in marathon runners taking part in the GBC they amended the events; removing cycling and adding the GBC 10in 10 for 2014. A massive 262 miles will be covered in 10 days by some of Europe's most accomplished marathon runners.
Great Barrow Challenge 10 marathons in 10 days. Because it's a new event there wasn't a lot of information on the courses, all I know before going there that they were multi-terrain and that it should be to hilly. So I had to stay positive to whether I could do a sub 3 on any the the 4 courses. When I turned up to the academy on the Wednesday I was first there so I had a choice to where I could put my bed in the hall. It also gave me time to prepare my kit and to check out the roots on the Maps I was given. They didn't look too bad to follow as I'm not too bad at map reading. People started turning up in the evening and it was nice to meet other people that was into marathon running. I can understand why people want to write books about us, if you sat in lounge and heard some of the fantastic journeys and records that people have lived. Even a recordholder myself it's amazing to hear others journey.
Day1 (North) Thetford 26.7-27miles. Getting up in the morning I was definitely ready to go. I was that eager I even ran A mile and a half down the start to see what it was like and of course again. I remember standing on the start line listening to Glen about the roots and what arrows we are following around. Looking at my map and thinking I can do this! Once we started I tried to keep the same pace. I didn't have any problems following the little red arrows and my map. When running I was not thinking about the next day. I was running also like I have one to do in a good paces. I was well chuffed that I made the first one under 3 hours. Glen said to me I didn't think anyone was going to do under 3 hours on my course. Big smile on my face.
Day2 (East) Bury Parks 26.3miles. In the briefing this one did sound a bit harder to get around. Did slow down a couple times to make sure I was going the right way. But I still ended up going the wrong way. Not once but twice, I reckon I added at least 4 to 5 miles on top of my course. I was still running very strong but it was annoying knowing that I had gone the wrong way that cost me my sub 3 hours target. I still made it back to the finish 1st, I didn't let my mistake play on my mind as still got 8 to go.
Day3 (South) Wickhambrook 26.6miles. If I remember correctly one of two people will start to get blisters now. I didn't have anything wrong with my feet and I'm still feeling very good. The South route has a lot more road compared to the other two we've already done. Only a couple miles into the run I ended up going the wrong way that's before someone changing the arrows directions. So the first 4 of us who are following it went the wrong way. Costing me 9 minutes, if I was reading the written instructions I may have gone the right way. But it was nice to be running past everyone and saying hello to them. After that I was doing very well up until I got to about 23miles I added an extra loop in for myself. Missed the turning so today I think I added about 2 to 3 miles extra and again missed the sub 3 hours.Day4 (West) Newmarket 26.4miles. The 4th and final course the checkout. Just before we started Glen said to everyone if anyone can beat Adam they can have a free entry into any of the GBC events. I'm glad he was confident that I was going to be first back. Didn't have any problems finding my way around. Had to stop twice for the horses the pass. Horseriding is a big thing in Newmarket and they've even got the own pavement. You could say I was determined to break sub 3 this time and I did a bit quicker than I was expecting.
Day5 back on North. Again before the start Glen said anyone that can beat Adam can have a free entry. For the other 5 day to go he said it too. I remember running along at a good pace not looking at my watch. The north route always thought remind me off a zoo a little. As I got to see so many different animals, cats, dogs, sleeps, pigs, donkeys, turkeys, ducks, deers, goats and the one I wasn't expecting to see peacocks. When I got to the 16mile checkpoint I realised I was well off from the sub 3 finish. Thinking about 3hrs 10min, for the last 10 miles or so I definitely picked up the pace. It wasn't a sub 3 and probably the only day I wasn't running a sub 3. But I was still very happy with what I did do. Today I would've said was the hottest of all 10 days.
Day6 back on East. Knowing that this was the day last time I did a lot of extra miles, I think that's
why I ended up running faster. Not just that I can even go wrong. Throughout the whole run I was feeling great and when I was on the way to finish and seen on my watch I was close to a 2hrs 45min. I put in so much effort to making sure that I broke that time. Crossing the finishing line I collapsed on the floor and I was over the moon. Can't believe I did that on that course. So that became my slowest and fastest course.
Day7 back on South. I know today my legs are feeling heavier but I put that down to running faster the day before. I'm not going to let that slow me down to much as I want to get a sub 3 again. The little errors I made the last time on the course I no I'm not going to have a problem with as I know what I did wrong. Still with no problems with legs or feet you could say I'm still very happy.
Day8 back on East. Start the morning at 6am like every day. Get up and have some Shreddies and a drink then jump back into be about 6.30am to watch a movie. Back out at 7.30am to prepare and get my racing kit on for the start at 8am. Nice thing is with this course I could keep the map in my pocket and not have a problem getting lost. Start of with a good place. But stopping for the horses expressly on the hill, I did find it a little bit harder to get going again. When I got to checkpoint 5 I know I was
Day9 once again South. Starting the day I knew I was just outside an average time of sub 3 by 7sec. Definitely didn't need the map but it stayed in my pocket. You could say I was determined that the start. After doing Brathay earlier on in the year and was hoping to do it there but twisting my ankle on day two didn't help. So I missed out on my opportunity. So I wasn't going to do it twice in the same year. I know the two events are different where Brathay is on road and GBC is multi-terrain but both are still a marathon. Feeling good was running but the time I got to checkpoint 3 14.4miles I could see I was well on target. With the last miles or 2 to go I knew I was getting closer to my goal with only one marathon left when I get to the finish. When getting to the finish it was my 4 sub 3 in a row and the 2nd time I've done 4 in a row. So tomorrow would be a new 1st for me. "Thinking to myself can I do 5 in a row and I'll horse is going to be out tomorrow"
Day10 once again East. Probably safe to say I was a little worried of the start. I'm now doing an average under sub 3. Will I have to stop much for the horses? I'm not going to know until I start. Today at the start I got to wear a Jamaican hat with long hair. Brings back memories to when I had long hair. Only wore it for the first 50m. Nothing wrong with having a bit of fun. That feeling when you've got one left and you can go all out. I had a very strong first half and it was a good thing I did because when I got to Newmarket twice I had to walk which added up to over 11min of walking. After leaving Newmarket I stayed very strong, on my way to checkpoint 5, 21.4miles I met up with Jon who was on his pushbike. He was going to ride with me so you could get some good photos. From my point of view when going through the woods it looked like Jon couldn't keep up. If you talk to Jon he can tell you that I was still able to talk and that I was enjoying myself whys I was running. Knowing as I was running through Barrow my journey was coming to an end. Definitely made me happy to know that I have achieved something that I'd set out to do. As you might be aware I did manage a 5th sub 3 in a row.
I want to say A big thank you to Glen putting on the GBC 10in10. He was asked by runners last year to put the event on so it was new terra tory for him and I think he did a fantastic job. Big thank you to all the volunteers that helped during the event sorry I don't want to mention names as I may forget someone. Jon again thank you for supporting me and sorting out my entry and support for the event. Without Emtec Colleges Limited, Cushion Print Management and Knowhow. I don't think it would be impossible for me to take part in the event. Don't want to forget to say thank you to Notfast and Newark Park for cheering me on all the way.
Barrow put firmly on the International sporting map with the UK's first multi-terrain 10 marathons in 10 days with 174 people took part from all over Europe and 15 including me completed the epic challenge of 10in10, Next year is already planned for June 25th to July 4th if anyone locally or going up with A competitor would like to get involved, it really is a fantastic event and they are always looking for volunteers to help the athletes out. who will class of 2015, I've set a target for you. but don't worry about that just get on and have a go whether it be 1, 2, 5 or the big one 10! reminder to enjoy it all.
Day1 2:54:20sec
Day2 3:23:28sec
Day3 3:12:25sec
Day4 2:52:00sec
Day5 3:03:03sec
Day6 2:44:17sec
Day7 2:54:12sec
Day8 2:57:06sec
Day9 2:52:27sec
Day10 2:53:01sec
Overall time: 29:46:19sec
Average: 2:58:38sec
41 sub 3 hours to date
81 sub 3hrs 30min to date
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