Varsity run is in a relay good cause

May 31 2007 By Bill Mcguirk, The Evening Chronicle

Following hot on the heels of Wallsend Harriers' 100-mile world record, super-fit students from Durham University are attempting to run their way into the record books.

Sixteen members of the university's athletics and cross-country club are taking part in a 24-hour relay in aid of charity projects in Zambia and Sri Lanka, supported by Northumbria Water, Prontaprint and Varsity Durham.

Their aim is to cover an ambitious 306 miles, with each athlete running a 213-metre twisting circuit of Palace Green in Durham city centre before handing over to the next member of the team.

Fifteen boys and one brave girl are hoping to raise a minimum of £100 each, with £2,000 being the target thanks to donations from tourists, students and any other interested parties who happen to venture up to Palace Green on the day.

At noon this Saturday, Albert Hodgson, president of the university boat club in 1954, and Air Commodore Ian Foster OBE, former miler and president of the athletics club in the 50s, will start the event.

The first team of five will begin with each doing a lap of the cordoned-off green before passing the baton to the next team member.

This will go on through the night and, hopefully, by noon on Sunday, lots of money will have been raised thanks to the superb efforts of everyone involved.

If everyone stays fit and healthy, each member taking part will have run 160 laps (21.1 miles) during the 24 hours, but some of the super-fit will attempt to go the extra mile and try to run 26.2 miles inside the current world record of 2hr 03min 57sec for the marathon.

Durham University Cross-Country president Andy Lawrence said: "It's all in aid of a very worthwhile charity, and at the moment, everyone is on a high about the whole occasion.

"It's all been worked out with each team able to take a two-hour break during which they can take a nap, if it happens during the night, or help with fundraising during the day.

"This is the last time the students will be together before the end of term and everyone thinks it's an ideal send-off."

To donate online go to http://www.duaxc.co.uk.