Live Tracking Link:
https://isleofwight.v3.livetrail.net/fr/2025/runners/1344?raceId=full
Back in 2015 I was supposed to walk around the Isle of Wight to fundraise for Cancer Research following the death of my brother from cancer a year earlier at the age of 37. Unfortunately, while in training I discovered that a historic knee injury was somewhat worse than I’d realised and so 2 knee surgeries later we only attended that event to cheer on the others.
At the time I said I would be back to finish the job without honestly thinking it would take me fully 10 years to make it but, finally, here we are and the 10 year anniversary of this utter failure seemed like an appropriate point to try again… only this time in a mad bid to defy both my knees and time itself I’m going to attempt to run it.
I am again fundraising for Cancer Research UK but this time also for The Cure Parkinsons Trust as my mum has been diagnosed with, and suffers the effects of, this incurable and debilitating illness. Any support for these charities is hugely appreciated and will motivate me to keep going when this undoubtedly gets pretty tough.
So, what does running around the Isle of Wight entail… 106km (66 miles) & 2000m (6500 ft) of elevation that’s what… or over 2 and a half marathons and 3 mountains worth of climbing if you prefer - and most of it off road. And although this event takes place in May the 2015 version was notable for its absolutely horrendous weather conditions, including torrential rain and gale force winds, so anything is possible on the day.
My aim is firstly to finish this challenge but to keep things interesting, with a start time of c.7am, I am going to try my damnedest to get back and to the bar before last orders are called at the local pub. As a metric this would put me roughly in the top 50 of the 456 people who completed the 2024 event (661 entered).
I plan to post some content here about how my training progresses and if you are so minded you can also follow me on Strava (link below). Nearer the time I will post my geo tracker information so anyone who’s sponsored me can sit comfortably at home and comment on how slowly my dot is moving on a map.
Finally, huge thanks to my wife Sarah and son Austin who are also making a big contribution to this by letting me spend what would otherwise be family time out on endless training runs… imagine if this was all just an elaborate ruse and I was in fact just heading off to the pub… that definitely isn’t happening though. Honest.
You can see more details of the challenge here:
https://www.ultrachallenge.com/isle-of-wight-challenge/
And follow me on Strava here:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/ralphruns
Thanks for visiting!
Ralph
Raising for
Donation Summary
£1,899.88
raised of £1,000
