Michael Mason
5 Big Races
Fundraising for Cancer Research UK
Story
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.
Last year we managed to raise £5710 for Cancer Research through your generosity for pledging me through 3 Big Ultra running races see http://www.justgiving.com/3BigRaces
This year I have decided to try and double the target to £10,000 (as it is unlikely my body will be able to continue this regime of abuse for ever) and try for 5 ultras in the UK and abroad and have added 1 little 26 mile trail marathon race.
The 5 + 1 races are:
Compton Downland Challenge - Berkshire, UK - 40 miles - 25 March 2006 (2,900ft ascent)
http://www.16westfields.freeserve.co.uk/comptonharriers/Challenge.htm
UPDATE: I completed the first of the 5 Ultra series on Saturday - The Compton Downland Full Fat 40 miler in Berkshire. Although they said the race included 2,900ft of ascent my innate incompetence regarding geography and map contour reading had not prepared me for the first of many hill climbs. The first 20 miles were completed in heat and humidity and the back 20 - freezing wind, rain and claggy mud.
Bottom line finished in 70th place (99 entrants) in 8hrs 8 mins 8 seconds. 21st in my age category and continued the drive into 2006 as had finished 2005 as : 1st in the Best looking Runner Category......................
3 Forts Marathon - 26 mile trail race - Worthing - 3450ft total ascent (yes a bit hilly). Decided to add this 'little race' for extra training
Flaming hell this was hard! I can't really remember any downhills but there must have been some. It appeared to be mile upon mile of climb, much of which was head down hands on knees driving ever upwards. Would have liked to have said that the views of Devils Dyke etc were breathtaking and spectacular - but with the sweat dripping into my eyes and lungs gasping I hardly noticed....nor cared! My Garmin clocked 27.2 miles and my right hamstring started to twinge at 26.2!Finished in 108th from 154 finishers in 4:52:48 (winner was 3:16:40 and last was 6:15:43 - still no question that best looking runner by far.....). Some satisfaction for my club that I pipped a Springfield Strider who finished in 110th. This additional 'little race' proved that my fitness levels need to be increased.....but a great day!
West Highland Way race - Glasgow to Ft William - 95 miles - 24/25 June 2006
Mike and the support team at Milngavie just before the race start.
http://www.westhighlandwayrace.org/
Just a short update. I completed my second Big Race over the weekend. This was the West Highland Way race - 95 miles from Glasgow to Fort William. Unlike last years race which was called off during the event due to bad weather conditions and in which 7 people were hospitalised, 2 spending a week in Intensive Care with renal failure. This was a more tranquil race.
Of the 121 who started, 34 dropped out at various stages and I finished in 49th place in 27hrs 57 minutes and 26 seconds.
Approaching Rowardennan checkpoint on the shore of Loch Lomond with Soren Hahn and support member Max.
At the Derrydaroch farm checkpoint at mile 44 I spent 30 minutes sitting in agony debating as to whether I could continue - my quads had been destroyed after a fast descent from Conic Hill. However, I recovered from this depression with mushroom soup, 400mg painkiller and the ignominy of my chair collapsing and turning the air blue with a stream of invective.....
Not the finish - the worst was still to comeYou should be pleased to know that I am still in agony. Laughter at my shuffling gait and pained expression is acceptable though.
Bottom line a real BIG thank you to all who have pledged so far. We have raised £3575 so far against our £10k target
Ultra Trail Mont Blanc - round around the massif - France, Switzerland, italy, 8,500m, accumulated ascent - 45 hour cut off - 100 miles - 25-27 August 2006
http://www.ultratrailmb.com/accueil.php
Well this one broke me....I managed 72 km of the total 158 km reaching Courmayeur (Italy) in 17 hours of unmitigated hell. There must be an easier way to raise money for charity. Of the 103 Brits taking part only 39 actually made it and the 40% success rate is same for all those taking part . The majority tend to drop out at Courmayeur as this is the first major rest and recovery centre, coming after the largest climbs and descents on the route, and once you stop it is difficult to motivate yourself to get going again.
Bottom line - we have raised to date £5214 for Cancer Research. Thanks to all those of you who have pledged and those about to. 4th race of the Big 5 is the Castillos de Avila mountain marathon (50K) on 28th October near Madrid.
Castillos de Avila - Mountain marathon - 31 Miles (28 October) outside Madrid
http://www.castillosdeavila.com/
completed the 4th of my 5 Big Races for Cancer Research on Saturday. This was the Castillos de Avila - 50km Mountain Marathon - outside Madrid. The weather was a blistering 25c even in the Mountains. As a result only 163 of 210 starters completed. Thanks to kind words of encouragement from Beda Dreber after the Mont Blanc Ultra, I finished in 5:45:19 and 92nd. Still managing First place in Best Looking and most modest Runner category.
We have now raised £5464. Final race will be on 9 December - Round Rotherham 50 miler. There is still time to pledge. As extra encouragement please note that this will be my FINAL year of Charity running so you will not be troubled for cash again.
Round Rotherham - South Yorkshire Forest - 50 miles - 9 December 2006
http://www.hmarston.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/rhac/trail/rrr.htm
Completed last of the Big 5 Runs on Saturday - the Round Rotherham 50 miler. Finished 76th from 151 in 11:09:39. Mud, hills then...muddy hills, but at least it didn't rain on the actual day. Will lose 3 more toenails to add to collection, one of which had only just regrown....
I would like to thank all my pledgers for their kind donations in my last year of Charity running. We have together this year raised in excess of £7000 for Cancer Research and the pledge site will remain open until 4th January.
For all offline pledgers please see me before Xmas if you can. If you want to donate online simply hit the pledge url and add your name to the long list of donators, or send me an e-mail. Pledge for Cancer Research http://www.justgiving.com/5BigRaces
All the best and thanks for your support over the last years. I still remain the best looking runner (and most modest) on the circuit by far. I wish you and your families a great Christmas.........
Again I am supporting this charity in memory of Ford colleagues who have died or are suffering.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cancer Research UK will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
If you want to pledge offline please contact me at mmason6@ford.com or mason@kilnwood15.freeserve.co.uk
So please sponsor me now!
Many thanks for your support.