Monday 1st October 2018

Obstacle Run raises nearly £10,000 to help beat bowel cancer

The summer sunshine held out for one final day to reward participants and spectators at the very first ‘Total Obstacle Run’ with glorious conditions- all in support of local charity Bowel Cancer West.

Onlookers at South Milton Sands were treated to the spectacular site of 120 runners scrambling their way across the beach, under a giant cargo net, through the estuary and up on Trendwell Farm to take on 20 challenging obstacles across a course designed by local fitness instructor Mark Smith of ‘Total Fitness and Health’.

Once the runners reached dry land, their focus was a 5 kilometre cross-country route complete with monkey bars, climbing walls and cargo nets, giant ponds filled with ice-cold water and rubber ducks, a 50 metre water slide, stacks of hay bales and a series of fence posts marked in a ‘W’ (for West Country) across a steep gradient where they were tasked with doing sets of ‘burpees’ at each post. The final stance saw runners arrive back onto the beach to dive headfirst into the sea before collecting their medal and T-shirts and rewarding themselves with locally produced food back in the race village.

Friendly competition saw teams compete for the ‘Team Cup’ which was won by ‘Total Fitness and Health 2’, with Kingsbridge Young Farmers coming a close second. The first sole female winner was Kate Taylor and the men’s section was won by Mathew Sheppard. Teams from Royal Cornwall Hospital, Derriford Hospital and Royal Devon and Exeter competed for the ‘Hospital Cup’ which was won by RD&E.

Participant, Carla Gregory, speaking after the run said:

“Several teams took part in memory of our dear friend Kelly Stabb who recently passed away from bowel cancer at the age of 39. It was an emotional day for us all and we are so glad to do something positive to help this great local charity that Kelly supported so much. The race itself was fantastic, so well organised and brilliant fun. We are already talking about next year!”

Bowel Cancer West Patron and owner of Trendwell farm, David Darke and his Grandson Tom, were keen to host the run after David survived bowel cancer in 2009. David said:

“We got off to a flyer with our first obstacle run for Bowel Cancer West and have raised an incredible £7,000 so far and expect that total to grow. The support we’ve had through this event is overwhelming. Individuals and local businesses have got right behind us by fundraising and donating to our cause and had a lot of fun along the way.”

David continued:

I would like to extend particular thanks to Mark Smith from Total Fitness and Health for managing and designing the race course and to our sponsors Wolferstans Solicitors, Scafftec, and Total Tees. A special mention to Aune Valley Meat, Absolute Dental Kingsbridge, Francis Clarke, Travis Perkins, Luscombe May and Sainsbury’s Torpoint for their support as well.”

To see photos from the day:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/163927025@N07/5s8404

https://www.flickr.com/photos/151212775@N03/sets/72157698670318442
 

 

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