Stainland Lions replicate Calderdale Way Relay

The race followed the usual format, with pairs of runners tackling some of Calderdale’s toughest off road routes, but with suitable modifications to ensure compliance with the current rules.

In particular, runners had to observe social distancing, and rather than passing on a baton to the next pair of runners, there was a window between Friday and Sunday for each pair to register their run time.

Sedventy-two Lions took part across six teams, and the winning team recorded a cracking total time of 8 hours 54 minutes. The victorious six pairs were:

Tanya Blake and Craig Miller 
Mark Pigford and Mak Dhinsa 
Tim Walker and Cat Daniel 
Martin Wood and Gerry Banham 
Alan Gibson and Gillian Jago 
Jonathan Pybus and Ray Mooney

Speaking after the race, Lion Julie Field said: “This event has definitely succeeded in reigniting our strong Lions team spirit after so many weeks of strict social distancing”, while winning team member Mak Dhinsa commented that it was great to feel “like a team again rather than meandering on your own in lockdown getting lost!”
Club chairman Tim Walker thanked Andrew Laird Boldy for organising the event and for doing the difficult job of selecting the teams. Tim then summed up the weekend, saying: “It has been so special seeing so many Lions out running after the last few weeks in lockdown. What a fantastic weekend.”

Stainland Lions member Genevieve Thompson has some amazing adventures! Amongst her many past achievements, she has completed the entire route of the Calderdale Way Relay as a solo runner as well as being a veteran ultramarathon runner and Ironman triathlete.

This year’s big challenge was scheduled to be the Jungle Ultra Marathon in Peru, until Covid 19 hit.

Genevieve said: “A Jungle Ultra Marathon is something I have dreamed about for years. I learned about the Amazon jungle at Primary School and was fascinated.

“I have watched documentaries and read autobiographies and articles about other people fighting their way through mud and jungle foliage, camping in trees and carrying heavy packs to complete an amazing race.

“Peru is a country I visited in 1999 and again in 2000 and fell in love with but never managed to go back to.

“So, when I discovered there was a Jungle Ultra in Peru, running 230km through the Manu National Park in the Amazon rainforest over five days I was hooked.

“I have been training since October 2018 when my place was confirmed for the 2020 BTU Jungle Ultra.

“All my running has been training for this event and it is all I have thought about for over 18 months. Flight booked, training reaching its peak, equipment bought and then Covid-19 hit with Peru being fast to close all borders and travel, soon followed by the UK.

“The organisers, Beyond the Ultimate, however were quick to postpone all race entries to 2021 and organise a Virtual Jungle Ultra.

“So, on Sunday, June 7 I set off for the first day of exploring the jungles of Calderdale. Over five days I ran 174km through woodland, over moors, across rivers in a range of weather and gave myself a taster of what is to come in June 2021.

“Calderdale may not be the Amazon Rainforest, but it is a great place to explore and enjoy the challenges of mud, hills, woods and water with fantastic views across the valleys. Fingers crossed for BTU Jungle Ultra 2021.”
To put Genevieve’s achievement into context, her run was nearly 110 miles in total over the five days, with a full marathon on day three, and she climbed the equivalent of three times up Ben Nevis.

Details 
Sunday 33km (21 miles)
Monday 35km (22 miles)
Tuesday 42km (26.2 miles)
Wednesday 35km (22 miles)
Thursday 27km (17 miles)