Mugging just one of the dangers of extreme non-stop event (From Echo)

Mugging just one of the dangers of extreme non-stop event

9:40am Saturday 4th July 2009 in

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ALTHOUGH neither of the Benfleet Running Club members who attempted the long-awaited challenge of the Thames Ring — a 250-mile non-stop run — were able to finish, they did themselves proud.

Gary Jackets retired soon after youths had attacked him during the night and tried to steal his mobile phone — he out-ran them.

And blistered feet ended the challenge of Ernie Jewson.

The two men were in a line-up which followed a route covering three waterways, starting and finishing at Streatlkey In Berkshire.

It went along the Thames Path towards London passing Reading, Windsor, and Weybridge to Brentford. Here it turned north, following the Grand Union Canal passing Rickmansworth, Leighton Buzzard, Milton Keynes and Gayton to Napton Junction. From here it turned south on the South Oxford Canal passing Fenny Compton, Banbury and Lower Heyford to Oxford where it rejoined the Thames Path to finish at Streatley.

This event is believed to be the longest non-stop running event ever staged in the UK. The race entry limit was 100 and not surprisingly it was not tested. Only 41 runners lined up at the start - and only 12 completed the full distance. Among those starters were some of the finest ultra runners in the world. The race organisers themselves predicted that only six would finish the gruelling event. Just short of 10 back to back marathons, the distance had to be completed in 100 hours. This allowed very little time for sleep. Runners had to be self-sufficient for 26 to 30 miles between checkpoints/feed stations and support teams for individual runners were not permitted. With all this in mind it was with great pride that Benfleet Running Club boasted two club members on the start line in the shape of ultra distance runners Jackets and Jewson. For Jackets the going was tough. The weather hit record high temperatures and made it all the more exhausting to compete. Jackets came through the first checkpoint at 27.25 miles in six hours — two hours ahead of the cut-off time.

But it was hard going. He made it through to the next checkpoint at 55 miles at 12 midnight and carried on through the night. Sadly, this was then he suffered his attack in the mobile phone robbery attempt.

His sleight of foot ensured that he was unhurt and kept his phone, however, at 65 miles he decided he was not able to continue and retired from the race. Jackets said later: “Although I could have squeezed more hours running out of my body I knew there was no way I would make the finish and could not justify putting my body through more punishment than I needed. “The heat was soul destroying with runners dropping like flies.”

However, Jackets can still take pride in completing 65 miles in such difficult conditions. He added: “A man walked up to me on the Thames somewhere, between 50 and 55 miles, shook my hand and said 'RESPECT'. “I replied 'I haven’t finished yet’ and he then said ‘It does not matter, you’re here, that’s all that counts”.

For Jewson this was a real test of character. He has had an outstanding year achieving a long held goal of a sub 3mins:15secs marathon when he ran 3:09:28 at Halstead earlier this year to take an Essex silver medal in his age group.

He’s also set personal best times over 20 and 10 miles and 10k. Despite running with the lead group in the early stages and lying sixth after the second checkpoint his feet were beginning to suffer and severe swelling and blisters forced him out of the race at 157.15 miles. “The annoying thing for me though is that, despite my badly swollen and blistered feet, my calves, quads, knees, in fact everything thing else, is in really good shape,” said Jewson.

“This is because in many ways I've had an easy race by running so slow. “I will I try again, but only if I can sort out this problem I have with my feet.

“I will probably work my way around this one because I am determined and just love daunting challenges.”

Benfleet Running Club's ladies captain Bobby Oliver paid tribute to Jackets and Jewson.

She said; “To attempt a race like this requires a great deal of self belief so I have no doubt they will in time achieve any goal they set their sights on and deserve our utmost respect for trying,” she said.