Manx ultra-running legends Rob Sellors and Ben Scott smashed the record for running the 97-mile Raad ny Foillan coastal path, and raised hundreds of pounds for The Children’s Centre in the process. Starting from Peel on Saturday [March 14] afternoon, they ran through the night to complete the route in 21hrs 54mins – more than three hours faster than the previous record of 25hrs 10mins which was held by Bob Baxter. So, in addition to breaking the record, the Manx duo are also the first runners to beat the 24-hour barrier. They ran an anticlockwise lap of the Island heading south and were joined in the attempt by accomplished ultra runner Richard Hurdle from Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Unfortunately, Richard was struggling with a chest infection and had to stop running at Port St Mary – but, despite feeling under the weather, he helped Ben and Rob’s support crew until the early hours of Sunday morning.

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, aged 42, is a Peel-based Sports Masseur, and 48-year-old Rob is Headteacher of Cronk y Berry School. Conditions were far from ideal – windy to start with and frosty during the night – which makes their time even more remarkable. After getting his breath back at the end of the run, Ben said:

“We set out with a target to break 24 hours, and were on target for a good time but slowed down a bit during the night time sections. When the sun came up we were moving a bit better, picked up the pace as we got closer and closer to Peel, and really went for it over the last few miles. We’re very happy to break the record, but we’ll probably take the rest of the day off now!”

So far they have raised around ?600 for The Children’s Centre’s charitable projects which help families and children across the Island – but money is still coming in and there’s still time to donate. Mark Eastham, Fundraising Co-ordinator at The Children’s Centre, said:

“This is a fantastic achievement and we’re delighted that Ben and Rob have broken the record and chosen to raise funds for The Children’s Centre in the process. We must say a big thank you to them, and everyone who supported their efforts – and to Richard Hurdle for attempting such a demanding and daunting endurance challenge. There were many supporters who generously donated funds around the course and online at https://www.justgiving.com/Rob-Sellors/ – and the Just Giving page is still open for anyone who wants to recognise Ben and Rob’s achievement by making a donation.”

If you feel inspired by the record breakers (but don’t feel up to running the full 100-mile Raad Ny Foillan on your own!) then you could get a team together to take part in the Race The Sun relay race around the same route but in a clockwise direction. The relay – sponsored by MannMade – takes place on Saturday May 23 also raises funds for The Children’s Centre’s charitable projects. For details about this and all the charity’s other fundraising events go to www.thechildrenscentre.org.im/

Photo - On the start line in Peel for the record attempt are (left to right) ultra runners Rob Sellors, Richard Hurdle, and Ben Scott.