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.