Why take on one of the toughest running challenges in the UK?
Every May at Brathay, a different group of ultra-athletes come together to run the Windermere marathon 10 times on 10 consecutive days. We call it the ’Brathay 10in10’. Every participant raises a minimum of £3,000 for our charity – and each have their own personal reasons for doing so.
Council worker, Joanne Edgerton, 45, is one of this year’s team. She’s been running short routes with her local club Hyde Village Striders, but has never completed an ultra-event:
I do not underestimate how difficult this challenge is going to be, not in the slightest. I will be spending time away from my family and will be putting my life and soul into this. I have learned to believe in myself, and I believe that with support from my partner and my boys, I will do myself proud and complete this amazing challenge.
But it’s not just the physical challenge that will be spurring Joanne on. Having entered the care system herself from a very young age she knows first-hand what it feels like to have to find your own inner resilience to overcome the bad luck that life can throw at you. The community work we do with disadvantaged young people has genuine resonance for Joanne, who has already more than exceed her own fund-raising target.
I was in a children's home when I was just eight years old. Unfortunately, both my parents were drunks and I went into care as an emergency case. After three years of being in care, I was put into a foster home when I was 11. Brathay’s work as a charity is all the motivation I need to get the job done.
The Brathay 10in10 challenge will start on Friday 13th May where Joanne and 23 other participants will run the Windermere Marathon course every day for 10 days. On day 10 the participants will be joined by ASICS Windermere Marathon runners for a final lap of honour.
Anyone wishing to support the 10in10 campaign can do so here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/brathay10in10-2022