Barrow welcomes athletes for marathon 10-day event

Athletes from far and wide have been descending on Barrow this week for the start of a challenging 10-day event.

The Great Barrow Challenge - now in its seventh year - started life as a walking event and did at one time also include cycling.

But it is now very much about long distance running - its four day quad marathon or ultramarathon (26.2 miles or 32 miles respectively for four consecutive days) or its 10 in 10 marathons or ultras (26.2 miles or 32 miles for 10 days).

The gruelling challenge got underway yesterday, welcoming competitors from across the UK and EU, as well as from South Africa, Australia, Switzerland, Poland and Qatar.

Among them is Marathon Man UK Rob Young, world record holder for the most marathons in a single year (370), and Adam Holland, who holds the world record for the fastest 10 marathons in 10 days (30 hours 20 minutes and 54 seconds).

Challenge creator Glen Moulds, who plans to host the world’s first 20 (marathons/ultras) in 10 (days) event next year, said: “The people running it are like family - when we get together it’s such good fun and a really nice atmosphere.”

“It’s one of those things where, when you start, you just can’t stop,” he added.

All events begin and end at The Academy, in Church Road, where accommodation and food are provided for some of the participants and medical teams and ice baths are kept at the ready.

Single marathons, half marathons and 26.2 mile walks are also being held.

Volunteers are always needed and everyone is welcome to cheer the runners in from around 11am each day.

For more details, visit www.thegbc.co.uk