Man to run from Newbury to Newcastle, ten ultramarathons in ten days before completing Great North Run
GREG Watson is at it again.
Last year he ran from Newbury to Lincoln for charity, completing seven marathons in seven days and raising more than £3,000 for charity.
He’s getting ready to go again next month as he prepares for his biggest challenge yet.
Starting on August 28, he’ll be running from Newbury to Newcastle, before completing the Great North Run after arriving on Tyneside.
This incredible feat will see him run 10 ultramarathons in 10 days.
He’ll be raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK and Sophie’s Journey.
Already deep in training, Watson discussed the realities of preparing for such a vast undertaking.
“This one has been on the back burner for some time now,” he said.
“It was one of the first challenges I ever thought of, but I actually didn’t think it would be possible.
“I got into the Great North Run and it all fell into place.
“I thought, ‘ooh, how far is it away, how many marathons can I do?’”
Covering such a big distance requires some meticulous planning.
Watson, aware of what constitutes a sustainable pace, has to ensure he won’t end up in the middle of nowhere at 2am, miles from his next rest stop.
“I’ve got 10 stops on the way,” he explained.
“Managing this is like another full-time job – I’ve become a project manager in the evenings!
“I go from Newbury to Oxford, then Northampton, Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield, Wakefield, York, North Allerton, then to Hartlepool, then to Newcastle.
“So I should finish at St James’ Park on the Saturday afternoon.
“Then on Sunday morning I take part in the Great North Run.
“Most people taking part will drive up there… I’ve just deciding to run it instead!”
Watson’s incredible undertaking is understandably a talking point among his friends and family.
Some even expressed their concerns, but Watson is determined to raise as much as possible for his chosen charities.
“When I told my mum, she told me no!” he said.
“But I explained that I’ll have a support crew each day, carrying my gear, so I have someone with me.
“My Mrs just shakes her head at me, she’s given up now!
“You do get a mixture of full-on support and the shock factor.
“People wonder if you’re serious, but generally it’s overwhelming support.”
Watson’s chosen charities, Alzheimer’s Research UK and Sophie’s Journey, have a special meaning to him.
They are his motivation, fuelling him throughout the earliest mornings and the toughest evenings on his road to Tyneside.
“Alzheimer’s Research UK is a massive organisation,” he said. “They are so close to finding drug which can delay the symptoms.
“The cure can come next.
“We can stop families going through heartbreak like mine did with my grandad and my partner’s grandad.
“To lose the person you love is soul destroying, it takes away their memories.
“Sophie’s Journey is at the other end of the spectrum.
“They help children suffering with cancer.
“It gives kids that little bit of respite, and the parents too.
“They do a phenomenal job.
“They’re a smaller charity, so it makes a real difference.
“I’m just running, because it’s all I can do, but the people who donate are the heroes.
“I ended up with around £3,000, so in my head I’d like to raise £4,000 this time.
“Anything over that would be crazy.”
Donate and learn more by visiting gofundme.com/f/10-ultramarathons-in-10-days-journey-to-the-great-north-run
