Ten marathons in ten days around the stunning ASICS Windermere Marathon course? Sounds like you need to be of a certain mind to even contemplate it! Well, local running man Jon Drake from Sevenoaks, did just that!
In 2007, Sir Christopher Ball, an academic who taught himself to run marathons at the age of 67, suggested that the Windermere Marathon in the Lake District, incorporated a 10 marathons in 10 days event and 16 years later it’s still one of the UK’s toughest running events.
Now simply known as the Brathay 10in10, applicants are by no means automatically accepted to run the 262 beautiful miles over 10 days, but they are screened on their running experience and/or their fundraising plan.
The Brathay10in10 state that they: “strive to give all participants the best chance of success, both in terms of running at the event and fundraising to help vulnerable young people”.
“We fully understand the physical, emotional and financial demands of this event, which is why we continue to draw on the extensive experience of previous participants, who act as training advisors, moral support and cheer leaders!
Jon, who is an extremely experienced runner having completed a vast number of marathons around the world to date, managed to achieve second fastest in his age group this year, which took place from May 12th to the 21st.
Each runner who completes the 10in10 receives a large piece of slate along with 10 individual medals, one for each marathon, a book and some whiskey.
Talking about his experience at the event and subsequent photos that were taken, Jon said: “They say the camera adds 10lbs, it certainly felt like I was carrying more than 10lbs extra running round Lake Windermere, but I think I actually lost about that amount over
the 10 days.
He added: “We ran past a school at Hawkshead at around mile four each day, and during the week the kids all lined up to high five us and give us little hand made gifts when we ran past.”
The Brathay Trust
The 10in10 raises money for the Brathay Trust, a registered charity offering life-changing community programmes to children, young people and families in crisis. They are based in the Lake District which is the ideal setting to host iconic fundraising challenge events and offer tranquil room-only stays to public.
Jon said of the charity: “I got to witness first hand the great work The Brathay Trust do for underprivileged, disadvantaged, and disabled children.
“It made the pain and tediousness of the running seem less of a struggle when you saw what they dealt with every day, but ultimately we were out laughing and having fun at Brathay.”
• You can donate to the Brathay Trust by visiting their JustGiving page at justgiving.com/campaign/2023brathay10in10.
