Ultra marathon challenge completed by four autism charity staff members

FOUR incredible members of a Berkshire charity have completed an epic endurance challenge in aid of the autistic young people with complex needs they support day in and day out.

Chris Sturm, Emily McEwan, Hannah Marcham and Lauren Kingham all took on the Race to the Stones challenge on the weekend of Saturday, 13 July and Sunday, 14 July, in aid of fundraising appeals run by autism charity Prior’s Court.

This huge challenge consisted of two 50km ultra-marathons on consecutive days along the UK’s oldest trail, The Ridgeway, ending at the 5000-year-old Avebury Standing Stones.

Chris successfully took on both days of the challenge – so 100km in total – while Emily, Hannah and Lauren completed the 50km event on Saturday, 13 July.

Chris said:

“After the first 30km of running, I felt my knees start to stiffen so I had to take it easy and walk mostly for the remainder of the 70km, which was disappointing.

“So I’ve definitely got unfinished business with The Ridgeway and Race to the Stones.”

Hannah said:

“I found it immensely hard, harder than I thought it was going to be! There were definitely high points (jam sandwiches and visits from friends) and low points (45km -48km was particularly hard for me and I wouldn’t have made it without Emily and Lauren).

“Crossing the finish line was such a proud moment. The atmosphere at the end was really fun and welcoming and really lifted our spirits – I couldn’t quite believe we’d actually made it!”

Emily added:

“The challenge was so much harder than I anticipated, we had trained but we were not ready for the amount of hills that there were. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Hannah and Lauren by my side, we pushed each other through the tough moments and laughed together when we were starting to feel delirious. It was particularly hard halfway through when I recognised where we were and the sheer realisation of how far we had to go hit me.”

Lauren added:

“It was by far the hardest I have ever had to push myself. It started off a breeze, but it really got tough when I was 36km in and walking on blistered feet for the last 14km.

“I am so thankful to everyone who donated, it really helped push me to that finish line.”

Chris was fundraising for Prior’s Court’s Performing Arts Centre appeal. The centre will feature adapted facilities to support autistic young people with complex needs to access opportunities in music, dance and drama and the life-enriching benefits this provides. Chris has raised more than £900 so far and donations can still be made via: www.justgiving.com/page/christopher-sturm-1702474369225.

Hannah, Lauren and Emily were fundraising for Prior’s Court’s general funds appeal which goes towards purchasing things like outdoor play equipment for the autistic young people the charity supports. The trio have raised more than £1,300 so far and donations can still be made via: www.justgiving.com/page/racetothestonesforpc-1713351550210.

To find out more about Prior’s Court’s fundraising appeals, please visit: www.priorscourt.org.uk/appeals.