FROGLE: Farnham Runners John O’Groats to Land’s End Challenge

A group of intrepid Farnham Runners is taking on the challenge of running from John O’Groats to Lands End in July, during which they will run as a relay team covering over 900 miles in just 9 days.

The distance covered – approximately 100 miles a day between 12 runners – means that they will be running from around 6am to 11pm, working in shifts to make sure the team is properly fed and watered, no-one gets lost and everyone is safe; the runner will be accompanied by another team member on a bike at all times.

Avid parkrun enthusiasts the team will also be completing two parkruns along the way – at Inverness and Bodmin – just for fun!

Charities we are supporting

The FROGLE team is raising money for local charity Phyllis Tuckwell, and national charity the Alzheimer’s Society.

Corporate sponsors

All of the trip costs are being paid by participants so 100% of donations to the page will go direct to the charities. However, they are seeking corporate sponsorship towards some of the bigger costs, such as fuel and kit, but in return can give promotion including social media, press and potentially signage on transport.

So far the group has been kindly assisted by Howard Self Drive of Bisley and sponsored by local company Four Points Assistance – Specialist Providers of Travel Assistance Services in the UK and Ireland, but is seeking additional sponsorship.

Why do this challenge?

Cyra Parkes, who put the challenge to Farnham Runners last year, comments:

“I was inspired to do this challenge by my Dad, who ran relay from John O’Groats to Lands End in 1995 with the Pyrford Puffers, another Surrey-based running club. I’ve lived with his stories for over 20 years and thought it was finally time to have a go with my local club. It’s certainly going to be a challenge – not just the running, but also the logistics – which I think we all completely underestimated in the beginning.

We successfully completed a practice run in May, running from Farnham to Shoreham and back – and many, many lessons were learnt ahead of the main event in July.

We’re delighted to be running for Phyllis Tuckwell and the Alzheimer’s Society, who provide support and care for both patients and their families through incredibly difficult illnesses and are charities close to our hearts.”

Press release about completing the challenge

Photo above shows some of the FROGLE team before the practice run:
Front row L to R: Rob Gilchrist, Cyra Parkes, Sarah Marjoram
Middle row L to R: Jacquie Browne, Peter Chapman, Phil Masters, Terry Steadman
Back row L to R: James Musgrave, Paul Day, Stuart Williamson, Ian Carley.