How Far Did they Stride in the 145 Mile Grand Union Canal Race?

After months of training on the undulating Medway towns pathways, Ian and Alec were training by running a steady 10 miles every third day and then a 20 mile run once a week.  For most of us that would be too much as it is, but I am told that, nothing really prepares you for 145 miles!  The tow paths were either overgrown or a mixture of mud or stones, very rarely any soft tarmac like Rainham.  Then when you get to the locks, you have to go over them, which is a cross between hurdles and cross-training.  Despite all this, Ian managed to run an amazing 41 miles (not bad for a man who recovered from a heart attack a few years before) and Alec ran-on to achieve an outstanding 50 miles.  Which when you stop and think about it, is equivalent to TWO London marathons back-to-back (especially when many people don't even finish a single 26 mile marathon).  I think we can be very proud of Ian and Alec and their support teams.  They have managed to put Place for Hope on the UK map, with both press and TV coverage.  Thank you everyone who supported them with sponsorship and prayers (they will still need them as they nurse their swollen knees).

 

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Father and son in for the long haul

Needy children will benefit from tough fund raiser

news by Gerald Bartlett of Kent Online
A Father and son, who both teach at a Medway School, have set themselves the challenge of running a 140-mile ultra-marathon to raise money for a new charity.

Alec Stride, a science teacher at Robert Napier School, Gillingham, and his father Ian, who teaches life skills, are going through a tough training regime as they build up to the event in May.
 ... more information

 

Dad and Son in 145-mile ultra dash to raise cash

report by Joe Bill of Medway News - This Is Kent.co.uk
Two teachers from Medway will be attempting to run 145 miles in 45 hours.  Alec Stride, 28 and his 55 year old father Ian will be having a go at the longest race in the UK.  The Grand Union Race, also known as the Ultra-marathon, involes competitors who run from the centre of Birmingham to the centre of London along the waterside with a 45-hour time limit.

Alec and Ian are both teachers at the Robert Napier School in Gillingham and will be raising money for the Place For Hope charity, which is run by their family ... more information

Place for Hope

We have a vision to reach the children of Kosova with equipment, time, activities mainly directed at children with special needs and their families. Place for hope is a small organisation founded by a family with a heart to support those with disability in the town of Gjakove in Kosova. We aim to work alongside our church to offer advice, equipment and emotional support to those who desire it. We also desire to build a future for these children by working alongside their families. We would be grateful for your prayers and support. This all takes money of course, so please prayerfully consider helping in whatever way you can.  We arrange a number of fund raising events through our Parkwood Christian Fellowship, in Rainham, Kent http://www.pcfbaptist.co.uk/ to help raise money for the children, so please come along and support us.
God bless you for visiting.

 

Kosova is a small area striving for independence following the war which ended several years ago. There have been many years of oppression prior to the war and as a result many are unemployed and there is increasing amounts of poverty. This being so the disabled people are given little support financially and there is no wheelchairs or equipment that in England we take for granted.

 

Armend and Sara Qehaja our full time representatives, live in Gjakova (Armend's home town) and spend their time visiting families and carrying out activities with the children. They often use stories from the bible in their activities and have linked with other organisations to deliver humanitarian aid to the families.

Thanks to the generosity of Kent County Council and many other professionals we have been given a lot of specialist equipment suitable for disabled children. This equipment has now been shipped to Kosova and Armend and Sara are busy visiting families and giving the equipment to the children who need it. You can see pictures in our photo gallery.

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