A Swindon vet is gearing up to tackle a mammoth challenge for a good cause.
Tim Charlesworth is head of surgery at Eastcott Veterinary Referrals, which is based in Swindon and part of the Linnaeus organisation.
He aims to cover 100km - just over 62 miles - in 24 hours as part of the Race to the Stones challenge, raising money for Cancer Research UK.
On Saturday, 10 July, Tim will set off in Oxfordshire along one of the oldest trails in Britain, the Ridgeway National Trail, finishing at the iconic ancient Avebury Stone Circle.
Tim said: “I started running many years ago, mainly as a way of getting some exercise whilst taking our dog out every day, and like most people got sucked into it!
“I know it’s not for everybody but it’s been great for my mental health and is a wonderful stress buster. It gets me out, blows away the cobwebs and, what’s more, our dog is now incredibly fit!
“Over the years, I gradually upped my mileage and was persuaded to enter the Race to the Stones challenge with a few friends back in 2019. Sadly, however, I had a pelvic fracture and had to defer my entry to the following year, which was then cancelled due to the national lockdown.
“So, this year I am running RTTS solo and am very excited to complete the challenge. I’ve done a few marathons in the lead-up to this which has been fantastic, but this is what I like to call an ‘ultra’ challenge, as it tests not just our physical fitness but also our mental strength to keep pushing on.
“Training is going well and I’ve recently completed a 50km marathon, so am now concentrating on not getting injured over the next few weeks!”
Voted the UK’s best endurance event for the past three years, the route follows the historic trail past Wayland’s Smithy, Uffington White Horse and Barbury Castle.
It is lined with Bronze Age hill forts, Neolithic burial chambers and Roman river crossings, and participants will follow in the footsteps of travellers who lived over 5,000 years ago.
Tim will be raising money to help support and fund Cancer Research UK’s continued research into cancer treatment and prevention and its work to develop new drugs.
Donations can be made via https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=TimCharlesworth&pageUrl=1
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