The 10 Marathons in 10 Days Challenge
Day 4 Daily Report from Brathay

Another good day at the Brathay Ten in Ten.

It was another hot day, but fortunately not as intense or draining as the previous day. We started off again at 9am with the route looking increasingly familiar. Still, the odd hill looks steeper and on occasion the water stations seem further apart. On the fourth day around the scenery is as spectacular as ever. Traffics was quiet, but picked up later in the day. There was a noticeable increase in the interest being shown by passers-by – some waving support and beeping, and we have one firm supporter later in the race close to Ambleside waiting to offer us jelly-babies (sweets). The support is very much appreciated. Meanwhile other runners are on the course preparing for this coming weekends full Windermere marathon, and we talked and/or ran with them as well.  

As in previous days Steve Edwards soon broke away from the other runners. For the longest part of the race Phil Roberts was in second place until he last few miles. For the first 13.1 miles Georg Russell dropped back his pace and ran with the Peloton Boys - Jim, Ray, Matt and Malcolm, who entered the half-way mark at 2:16. Thereafter they soon broke up – George and Ray pushing ahead, Matt and Jim running together and Malcolm further off the pace. The result was that George and Ray moved into second place later in the race, with Phil finishing 4th. Matt and Jim both had their best times coming home together.      

Everyone else came in later and were generally happy with their times – especially given this was the fourth marathon in a row, and in the sun once again. Cause for celebration also is that there are no show-stopper injuries. Perhaps that is due to the cooling effects of the River Spa, which we feel has played a very important role in our recovery, as has the massages we have been fortunate to receive from Amy and John.   

Another cause for celebration was that it was Michelle’s birthday – celebrated in fine fashion with her best time of the Challenge so far and a drink at the end of the day.

Role on Day 5!

Day 4 Finish Times

• Steve Edwards – 3:37
• George Russell – 4:20
• Ray O’Connor – 4:20
• Phil Roberts – 4:22
• Matthew Evans – 4:35
• Jim Mundy – 4:35
• Malcolm Anderson – 4:57
• Michelle Atkins – 5:54
• Selina Da Silva – 6:01
• Paul Adams – 6:05
• Sue Adams – 7:38