Priors Court staff complete ultra marathon challenge

Four charity workers have completed an ultra marathon challenge.

Chris Sturm, Emily McEwan, Hannah Marcham and Lauren Kingham from Prior’s Court all took on the Race to the Stones challenge on July 13 and 14 to fundraise for the Hermitage-based charity.

The challenge consisted of two consecutive 50km ultra-marathons along The Ridgeway, ending at the 5000-year-old Avebury Standing Stones.

Mr Sturm successfully completed both days of the challenge – totalling 100km – while Miss McEwan, from Newbury, and Miss Marcham and Miss Kingham, both from Thatcham, completed the 50km event on the Saturday.

Mr Sturm, from Thatcham and a regular at Newbury parkrun, was fundraising for Prior’s Court’s Performing Arts Centre appeal.

He has raised more than £900.

Speaking about the race, he said: “After the first 30km of running I felt my knees start to stiffen, so I had to take it easy and walk mostly for the remainder of the 70km, which was disappointing.

“So, I’ve definitely got unfinished business with The Ridgeway and Race to the Stones.”

Meanwhile, the trio have so far raised more than £1,300 towards purchasing outdoor play equipment and similar resources for the autistic young people the charity supports.

Miss Marcham said: “I found it immensely hard, harder than I thought it was going to be.

“There were definitely high points and low points.

“Crossing the finish line was such a proud moment. I couldn’t quite believe we’d actually made it.

Miss McEwan added: “The challenge was so much harder than I anticipated.

“We had trained but we were not ready for the amount of hills there were.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Hannah and Lauren by my side; we pushed each other through the tough moments and laughed together when we were starting to feel delirious.

Miss Kingham added: “It was by far the hardest I have ever had to push myself.

“It started off a breeze, but it really got tough when I was 36km in and walking on blistered feet for the last 14km.

“I am so thankful to everyone who donated, it really helped push me to that finish line.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/page/christopher-sturm-1702474369225 to donate to Mr Sturm’s fundraiser.

And visit www.justgiving.com/page/racetothestonesforpc-1713351550210 to donate to the trio’s fundraiser.