Two friends complete 230 mile charity challenge across Warwickshire

Two friends have completed a gruelling 230 mile running challenge across Warwickshire in aid of charity.

Helen Wyatt, who lives in Warwick, and Lauren Gregory, who lives in Farnborough took part in the mammoth challenge last month where they took on the Centurion Running One Community virtual running event.

The pair decided to take on all of the challenge distances (5km, 10km, half marathon, full marathon, 50km, 50 miles and 100 miles) - a total of 230 miles in a week.

Lauren said: "Back in May, Centurion Running did the same challenge and both Helen and I completed the 100 mile distance in five days.

"With our main running events we were training for this year being cancelled (four 100-mile races for Helen and the Marathon Des Sables for me), we both wanted a big challenge to get stuck into.

"When Helen suggested we go for the 'Grand Slam' - all seven distances combined to total 230 miles, it took a while for me to get my head around the logistics but I knew that this would be a great test of our physical and mental strength."

Helen added: "If anyone would want to do this with me it was Lauren. We met through a mutual love of running, but also a mutual love of running extreme distances.

"After such a torrid year almost every event had been cancelled so a virtual event where we had to fend for ourselves seemed perfect."

Helen and Lauren completed their seven distances in and around Warwick and Edgehill.

Speaking about the challenge, Lauren said: "To complete the challenge correctly, we had to run and record each individual distance separately.

"Helen put together a plan for the week which covered all seven distances.

Helen said: "Throughout the week we ran 81 miles together and the rest was shared with friends and supporters who came to run with us.

"It was an incredible challenge which came with so many highs and a few lows too.

"The 50 mile day came with a few challenges as we chose a trail route near Henley-in-Arden which turned out to be incredibly muddy which really slowed our progress, particularly on very tired legs.

"After 30 miles which took us eight hours, we returned to Warwick and decided to do the remaining 20 miles on road.

"We finished at 12.30am having started at 10am the previous morning - it was a tough and painful day for both of us.

"By the end of the week even putting running shoes on was a challenge.

"Swollen feet and ankles, managing blisters and toenails became a morning and evening ritual.

"Some days I was so tired I could have shut my eyes and slept standing up.

"But I knew that as much as it would hurt I would just keep trying, keep pushing, and keep putting one foot in front of the other."

Lauren decided to raise money for Hope for Children for the challenge. She said: "Hope for Children do such valuable work around the world to ensure that poverty stricken children get the childhood, education, healthcare and rights that they deserve.

"As a mother of two children in a country where all of these things are so readily available, I can't imagine the pain and struggles that these families have to deal with.

"I have taken a place with Hope for Children for the Marathon Des Sables 2021 - they have been so supportive and wonderful to me.

"During the One Community week, I raised £1,300, taking my overall total to £9,750 for Hope for Children, just £250 off my target."

Helen decided to raise money for the Trussell Trust, which operates foodbanks across the UK. Helen said: "It’s been an awful year for most of us, and let’s face it no real end in sight.

"For some people it has been the worst they could ever imagined.

"Some people cannot afford food and basic essentials. Some people are weak through hunger as they tuck hungry children into bed at night. Some children know no different.

"This winter The Trussell Trust anticipate an extra 460,000 people in poverty and in need of their charity.

"I had a target of £1,000 but am absolutely delighted that I raised a total of £3,196."

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/helen-wyatt8 or go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/laurenmds21