The 10 Marathons in 10 Days Challenge
Day 5 Daily Report from Brathay

A big day for everyone today – this was our 5th marathon in a row and represents the halfway mark in the challenge. It was no surprise that the weather was spectacular once again. The course is becoming increasingly familiar to all of us now and we are able to identify with a range of landmarks – the poster for Henry, the missing dog, the dead rodent, the interesting smells of rotting something and so on. These are good things because they take our minds away from the injuries that we have accumulated over the 125 miles.

There is a winding hilly section in the first 4 miles of the course as we realise that we are at it once again, followed by relatively flat terrain for a few miles.  Then, no surprise, hills, and hills on top of hills. Between the hills there are some hills. Actually, from Mile 6 to Mile 12 the scenery is brilliant despite the hills, as we run through numerous forested areas with deep shading from the sun. About a half a mile before halfway we reach Newby Bridge – psychologically a great place to be, but we also know that soon after the halfway mark begins a very challenging part of the course between Miles 13 and 16. Yes ... hills. It’s with great satisfaction that we reach Bowness Windermere around Mile 19-20. With just over 6 miles to go you feel like you’re almost home.       
 

Steve ran another great race today finishing in 3:35. He has consistently ran great times each day and is in a great position to set the lowest cumulative time for the 10 in 10 event. Phil had a great race today with a sub 4 hour PB for the 5 days of the 10 in 10.  Again, George, Ray, Jim and Matt all finished strong, while the other Peloton Boy, Malcolm had to ease back due to an injury incurred earlier on the day. Michelle meanwhile had her PB for the five days, coming in at 5:41.  Selina, Paul and Sue all came in well and looked good and strong at the finish.   

John the physio had a busy day attending to injuries on the course. It’s tremendous support to have the physios constantly engaged with us as we run this course. More and more these days, there are other runners along the course who are training for this weekend’s full marathon (thanks Ian for getting me through that tough piece). It’s been great running along with them at various times – and as more and more people get used to seeing us we are witnessing a growing level of support and interest.     

With the halfway mark now reached we paused again for another celebration. Appreciative of the opportunity to be this far along, happy knowing we are still all here and supporting one another, and mindful that while we have achieved 5 marathons in 5 days, there are still 5 to go. Injuries are mounting but here are fortunately still no showstoppers. If there is pain, you run with it.  You get used to it. You get on with it.  It’s an amazing experience.  

We look forward to Day 6. And Day 7. And ... And ...

Day 5 Finish Times

• Steve Edwards – 3:35
• Phil Roberts – 3:54
• George Russell – 4:20
• Ray O’Connor – 4:20
• Jim Mundy – 4:20
• Matthew Evans – 4:37
• Malcolm Anderson – 5:29
• Michelle Atkins – 5:41
• Selina Da Silva – 6:08
• Paul Adams – 6:08
• Sue Adams – 7:14