Manx ultra-running legends Rob Sellors and Ben Scott are aiming to smash the record for running the 100-mile Raad ny Foillan coastal path. The pair are making the attempt to raise funds for The Children’s Centre’s charitable projects and will be starting on Peel Promenade at 2pm on Saturday March 16. They will be joined in the attempt by accomplished ultra runner Richard Hurdle from Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
Their aim is to become the first runners to break the 24-hour barrier – athletics statisticians reckon that the fastest time ever recorded was by Bob Baxter who clocked 25hrs 10mins.
Ben and Rob ran the entire coastal path in 2013 during one weekend, running around half the distance on the Saturday and the remainder the following day. Their total running time was 19hrs 50mins which indicates that they have the sustained pace to break the 24-hour barrier. But running non-stop to break the record will be an even bigger challenge, not least because they will have to run through the night which means having to overcome sleep deprivation in addition to the physical challenges. The coastal path route they will take is also slightly longer than the one they took last year due to the fact that the Langness section is now accessible.
The two Manx runners are well known on the Island’s athletics scene with both having achieved honours in ultra-distance runs both on and off-Island. Ben is a Peel-based Sports Masseur, and Rob is Headteacher of Cronk y Berry School. Richard Hurdle is a friend Ben met during the 2014 Thames 184 mile ultra run and ran together for 180 miles on their way to finishing equal fourth – and they also saved someone from drowning in the river along the way!
Commenting on the record attempt, Ben said:
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge. It’s especially exciting that I’ll be running with my two favourite running buddies who I’ve covered some serious miles with. I know we’ll make a pretty formidable team and if there’s any chance of setting a record this is the team that can do it. We’d love to have some support along the way and it’s the unexpected, random well-wishers that can really lift you – so if anyone sees us, give us a cheer!”
Rob added:
“The challenge of running around our beautiful Island in one go has always held a strong appeal for me, and personally this is a challenge I would really like to attempt before I reach 50. With the support of Ben and Richard, two really accomplished ultra athletes, together with Mark from The Children's Centre, I feel this is possible. The prospect is really exciting, if not daunting.”
Mark Eastham, Fundraising Co-ordinator at The Children’s Centre, said:
“This is an incredible challenge, and we’re extremely grateful to Rob, Ben and Richard for helping us to raise funds. Ben and Rob did the Raad ny Foillan in 2013 as a recce to test the feasibility of the Coastal Path Ultra fundraising event which we organised the last two years. They’re both great supporters of The Children’s Centre, and we will be supporting all three runners every step of the way and hope that lots of people turn out to cheer them on.”
There will be collections around the course on the day of the record attempt, or you can donate at the Just Giving page created for the event at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising-page/creation/?cid=249285&eid=2123106&utm_source=website_cid249285_eid2123106&utm_medium=eventlinking&utm_campaign=eventlinkingurl
Spectators can follow the runners’ progress on the day via updates on The Children’s Centre’s Facebook page.
For more information about all of The Children’s Centre’s projects and fundraising initiatives go to http://www.thechildrenscentre.org.im/
Photo - Ben Scott (left) and Rob Sellors on Peel Promenade celebrating the end of their Raad ny Foillan run 2013.
