A TRUSTEE of Melksham youth charity, 4Youth, has completed a 50km hike in the Thames Path Ultra raising money for the organisation – despite a diagnosis of coronary heart disease earlier this year.
Bryan Clover took on the challenge on Saturday 9th September, starting at Putney Bridge in London and finishing at Runneymede, on what was the hottest day of the year.
“I finished in 11 hrs 37 mins which was about two hours slower that it would have been under ‘normal’ September weather,” says Bryan.
“Hiking in 33 degrees, carrying 25lbs and direct sunshine was a crippler. At the end I was completely spent and struggled to put one foot in front of the other. Patsy walked the last two kilometres with me which spurred me on to get there. The heat was absolutely brutal.
“In numbers: 33.2 miles, 33 degrees in heat, average speed of 3.3 mph, 66,353 steps, two blisters (which I don’t normally get until 42/45 miles) and I drank 12 litres of water. On Monday, I will get the stats from Action Challenges and will see what the drop-out rate was – it’s usually 22-24%.
Bryan took on the challenge to raise money for 4Youth (South West) that supports young people with their mental health through street-based work, counselling and youth clubs.
Bryan added, “My leg muscles were completely shot by the end and even though I have done many hikes of this length before, this was by far the toughest physically due the extreme heat, it just sapped energy from my body. But giving up wasn’t an option, raising money for 4Youth is what it is about so that the charity can continue to deliver its vital services.”
This was the second time Bryan has taken part in the challenge, following last year where he hiked the full 100km course. As an avid hiker, Bryan was keen to get back to walking following a break due to his health diagnosis.