Brathay 10 Marathons In 10 Days Challenge - 17th May
On Sunday 17th May 2009, three athletes made history after running 10 consecutive sub 3hour 30 minute marathons over 10 days in what has become the UK's ultimate endurance running event, the Brathay 10 in 10 Challenge.
In doing so, they completely obliterated the world record total aggregate time of 35 hours 20 minutes set just 12 months ago at the 2008 event. Adam Holland aged 22 representing Tavistock Athletic Club who was competing in the challenge for the first time finished in 1st place out of the 15 challengers and also claimed the overall world record with a total time of 32 hours 47 minutes over the 10 days.
Potentially, more remarkable however were the performances of the other two athletes from Gloucestershire who finished a close 2nd and 3rd. Steve Edwards aged 46 (more than twice Adam's age) representing Bourton Roadrunners completing the challenge for the third consecutive year finished just 29 minutes behind with a total time of 33 hours 16 minutes, knocking more than 2 hours off his own world record time from 2008 and setting a new world best in the vet category!
This was closely followed by Tim Charles aged 40 (nearly twice Adam's age) representing Cheltenham Harriers and competing for the first time who finished just 34 minutes behind in a total time of 33 hours 22 minutes. This performance all the more creditable due to training hampered by injury problems for all but 5 weeks leading up to the challenge.
The fact that from two miles to go on the final day, they agreed to finish together after battling it out for the previous 260 miles says as much about the sportsmanship and sheer utter respect for one another as the performances themselves.
Adam Holland, Steve Edwards and Tim Charles arguably deserve full recognition as do all the 15 competitors for a fantastic performance that has captured the hearts and imagination of the whole running community over the last 10 days. It was a fitting finally for those fortunate to be present at the finish line as they were treated to what can only be described as a true master class of endurance running.
Report Highlights
Brathay Challenge Top-3 Places:
1st Place - Adam Holland
Total Aggregate Time - 32 hrs 47 min 3 sec
Average Marathon Time over 10 days - 3hrs 16min 42sec
Average Mile Time for 262 miles - 7 min 30 sec
2nd Place - Steve Edwards
Total Aggregate Time - 33 hrs 16 min 34 sec
Average Marathon Time over 10 days - 3hrs 19min 39sec
Average Mile Time for 262 miles - 7 min 37 sec.
3rd Place - Tim Charles
Total Aggregate Time - 33 hrs 22 min 5 sec
Average Marathon Time over 10 days - 3hrs 20min 12sec
Average Mile Time for 262 miles - 7 min 39 sec.
Steve's Individual Marathon Times:
Day 1 - 3:13:44
Day 2 - 3:23:09
Day 3 - 3:26:17
Day 4 - 3:17:06
Day 5 - 3:15:23
Day 6 - 3:18:52
Day 7 - 3:18:13
Day 8 - 3:18:44
Day 9 - 3:25:03
Day 10 - 3:20:03
Read the 2008 report
Other reports may be found on our recent race reports page.