Our Senior Sales Member Mike Richmond is taking on an insane two-day endurance challenge as part of a four-man charity fundraising team.
The quartet – Mike, Dave Twaddle, Adam Simpson and Grant Bulmer – will run the 100km from Pickering to Hawes on Friday June 25 before jumping straight into the saddle the next day to ride home.
Training for the challenge only began in earnest at the start of 2021 but really began ramping up the mileage in April and May.
The team decided that in order to feel like they could complete the massive 100km (62 mile) run they should all come together and complete one 40-mile run, which they did in May.
This was made easier by having the goal of running for the charity Young Epilepsy which is very close to Adam’s heart as his daughter suffered with epilepsy.
Although Mike is an accomplished triathlete, recently competing in his age group at the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championships Series Leeds, he has never run this sort of distance, let alone had to cycle 100 miles the very next day.
He said: “It’s going to be a massive challenge for us all but know why we are doing it will help us to keep pushing on.”
The team were inspired to take on the challenge after close family and friends were affected by cancer.
Dave lost his wife Marie to the disease late in 2020 and Adam’s friend Dave Ludlow is currently undergoing treatment.
The team have set themselves an ambitious target of raising £6,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK, and currently have pledges totalling nearly £2,000.
He said: “When Adam asked if I would like to be part of a charity run and bike ride for a charity of Marie's choice, how could I not be part of it?
“It’s not just a run though – it‘s an insane 100km in a day but if it was easy it wouldn't be a challenge. And then on day two there’s 100 miles on a bike.”
Dave added: “The one thing I do know is that through Marie's battle with cancer she never gave up and was an amazing strong woman, wife and best friend.
“It’s not going to be easy but we won’t be giving up either.”
Big Bear Bikes is getting right behind the team and we’ll be assisting them on their bike ride with our support van, carrying out any emergency repairs and providing food, drinks and encouragement. We’re also donating £1,000.
Mike said: “We’ve all come together through Dave and Adam, and we’re determined to complete the challenge and hit the £6,000 target.
“Dave especially has done amazingly well to get in shape to do this as he rides in our Big Bear Bikes recreational rides but wasn’t a runner before we began training.
“We’re hoping that people will dig deep and sponsor our team and the crucial work that Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK do to help people who are suffering with cancer and their families.”
If you would like to donate, visit the team’s JustGiving page.
PIctured above are, left to right, Grant, Dave, Mike and Adam.
