Grand Union Canal Race

Alex, Ceri, Tom and Stu took part in buddy running with ultra athlete Vicky Skelton during the Grand Union Canal Race (GUCR) 2011 from Birmingham to London.  The team met up with Vicky on the Friday night to go through the race plan to arrange check points and requirements. After this the team sorted out who was going to run with Vicky from the 65 miles point, the earliest they could join her. The team assisted Vicky during the first half of the race by meeting her at prearranged check points giving her the drinks and food that she needed and different clothing if required. Stu ran the first leg starting at 4.50pm and handing over to Tom after 4.5 miles. Tom ran the next 7.5 miles keeping Vicky company keeping a good steady pace before Ceri took over as the light started to fade. Ceri covered his first leg of 12 miles and Alex took over making sure both he and Vicky had two head torches each ready for the night run.  The night was warmer than expected with the occasional light drizzle. Stu’s second leg of 6 miles kept a good pace with no problems. He handed over to Tom who started at 1.15am when there was a little more rain but spirits were high. After Tom’s second leg of 9 miles Ceri took over his night stretch of 10.5 miles at 3.30am taking Vicky to her finish point. This last leg again saw slight drizzle now and again but rather balmy. Overall the team covered 65 miles which was a great training session not just for the physical running but also for the lessons learnt from both Vicky and her husband Leigh (her main support team) about how to look after the athlete during an event.

MEET THE SUPPORT TEAM - Lewis Ashton

1. What will you do to keep the team motivated? Feed them lots of chocolaty snacks

2. What can you see as being your main job as support team member? Driver, looking after the kit including the bikes and being humorous. (I can’t choose one job!)

3. What did you want to be when you were younger? Digger Driver

4. How would you describe yourself in one word? Cheeky Chappy

5. What are you inspired by? My family

6. What is your top track on your i-pod at the moment? Kele – Everything you wanted

7. What three things could you not live without? Phone, driving license and family

8. If you could have one superpower what would it be? Read peoples minds

9. What would we find in your fridge? At the moment? Not a lot. Some milk so I can make my Yorkshire tea and some bacon for morning sarnie.

10.If you could meet anyone dead or alive who would it be and why? Colin Mcrae due partly to him being arguably one of the best drivers (I love rallying!) and the fact that he has such a maverick personality.

To find out more about Lewis click here

Grand Union Canal Race

There are now less than 10 weeks to go until the Munro Mission start line is crossed, and the team are training harder than ever. This weekend they will be joining endurance runner Vicky Skelton in her attempt to smash race records. The GRAND UNION CANAL RACE is Britain's longest, toughest non-stop running race. It covers over 145 miles between Birmingham and London. Tom, Ceri, Alex and Stu will be acting as Vicky's support team for the final 70 miles, which they will run as a relay. The team will join Vicky tomorrow evening and accompany her throughout the night! To follow their progress click here.

MEET THE TEAM: Tom O'Connell

It is now under 10 weeks until the Munro Mission team set off on their epic challenge, climbing all 283 Scottish Munro's in under 49 days! As the training intensifies, we spent some time with the runners and support team asking them a few questions...

TOM is DecAid's Co-Founder and Munro Mission Team Leader. As part of his training Tom has recently completed a 100 mile cycle race and the Grizzly, a grueling 20 mile multiterrain race over hills, bogs and beaches. This weekend he will be accompanying endurance runner Vicky Skelton on part of her non-stop 147 mile Grand Union Canal race.

Here is what Tom had to say...

1. What will keep you going on the Munro Mission? The reasons behind why we are doing it and the fact that what we are going through is nothing like what the guys and girls in Afghanistan have to endure.
 2. What did you want to be when you were younger? A Munro Bagger...no, I'm kidding. A fireman!
 3. How would you describe yourself in one word (and a few more!)? Easily convinced to do ridiculous challenges

4. What are you inspired by? The thought of failing.
 5. Which song will motivate you most up the Munro’s? Anything by Pendulum!

 6. What is your top track on your i-pod at the moment? Cee Lo Green - Forget You


7. What three things will we find in your rucksack on the Mission? A can of coke, loads of food, some more food.

 8. If you could have one superpower what would it be? Flight

 9. What would we find in your fridge? Cheese, Eggs and Bacon
 10. If you could meet anyone dead or alive who would it be and why? Lance Armstrong. The man is an inspiration.
 11. What will you most want after a day’s Munro climbing? A cup of tea


To find out more about Tom click here

Heltor Ltd

Thank you to our newest Sponsors. Heltor Ltd who are sponsoring Geal Charn which we will be climbing on 4th August.

Want to sponsor a Munro yourself? Take a look at our brand new site here.