TWO TEACHERS from South Bromsgrove High School are tackling one of the UK’s most difficult marathons to raise money for charity.
Neil Dixon and Lee Lawrance will compete in the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia race on May 10.
The 104-mile ultra-marathon involves climbing approximately 10,000metres of Snowdonia’s Mountain peaks and must be completed within 48 hours.
Mr Dixon said: “You can’t comprehend the enormity of the whole thing.”
“It’s not just the physical side of things, it’s the tactical side of things too.
“It’s about your strategy and all the other things that feed into it like the food that you choose to take, hydration, pacing and navigation.”
The teachers are running approximately 80km for nine hours a week to physically prepare for the marathon, in addition to training their mental resilience.
Mr Lawrance added: “You do as much mental training as you do physical training.”
“There’s a saying in ultra-racing: ‘It’s 80 per cent mental and the next 20 per cent is in your head.
“We’re going to have highs and lows and we have to be able to get ourselves through that.”
Foundation
The science teachers are raising cash for The Harry Bennett Foundation, a local charity founded in former pupil Harry’s memory which supports people within the community to participate in sports.
Mr Dixon said: “We both taught Harry when he was a student here and he was such a lovely young man.
“His legacy through the foundation is that his family are really passionate about other people, predominately young people but not exclusively, benefiting from participating in sports.”
Mr Lawrance added:
“They’re trying to inspire people through sport which is lovely.
“We’ve got a JustGiving page and we’re getting lots of support from families, students, other staff and teachers.
“There’s lots of people giving and being very generous which is really nice to see.”
This event is the only race held in the UK by the UTMB World Series, which organises over 40 races in the toughest terrains around the world.
Mr Lawrence said: “If you don’t feel nervous about it, it’s not the right thing for you.
“We’re hunting out things that push us towards our limits, and this is going to do that very well I think.”
Visit justgiving.com/page/lee-neil-running-uts100 to donate to the pair’s fundraiser.
