Blyth runners raise £1,200 for CALM charity

Blyth Running Club members recently came together in aid of the charity CALM in memory of one of their former colleagues, Tony Holland, who sadly passed away last year.
Blyth Running Club members who attended the run.Blyth Running Club members who attended the run.
Blyth Running Club members who attended the run.

Tony was a talented runner who was well known in the North East

running community, for his love of running and for owning the Ultra Runner store in Cramlington.

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He loved taking part in endurance events, completing a number of marathons and ultra marathons, so one of Blyth Running Club’s members, Michael Ashby, came up with the idea of ‘Mike’s Mad Marathon’.

The aim of the run was to complete a 4.5 mile loop every hour, on the hour. The event,for Blyth members only, was to last up to 12 hours, with those taking part running as many loops as they could manage.

A spokesman said: “‘Mike’s Mad Marathon’ began at 12pm with a sea of Green and Whites running the route from Blyth to Seaton Sluice and back. There was a great atmosphere at the event with many members running further than they ever have before.

“ To receive a medal, each runner had to complete at least 3 laps of the route (13.5 miles). As the hours ticked by, more runners dropped out with the hot conditions not making it an ideal day for running! By 8pm there were only three runners remaining who then all went on to complete their ninth and final lap.

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“Michael Ashby, Steve Dobby and Sandra Watson all ran a total of 40.5 miles, an incredible feat of endurance and were presented their trophy by Tony’s parents, Mary Rose and Kevin.

“As well as all of the runners that took part, many club members acted as volunteers.

“It was great to see so many people from Blyth Running Club come together along with Tony’s family and friends, some who had travelled all the way from Spain to attend.

“The plan is to make this an annual event with the date already set for June 27, 2020.”

Around £1,200 has been raised for the CALM charity so far with the Justgiving page still open for donations: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mikes-mad-marathon