Area Ranger completes 190-mile charity Coast to Coast ultra run 

 

Grassington, 5 July, 2010.

 

He’s done it!

 

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Ranger Matt Neale has raised more than £7,000 for charity by running 190 miles from St Bee’s Head to Robin Hood’s Bay.

 

The 37-year-old completed his gruelling continuous coast-to-coast ultra-marathon in 61 hours and 13 minutes.

 

“It was hard but I’m not in as bad a state as I expected to be – I have got blisters on top of blisters and two of my toenails came off. But that is pretty normal for ultra-runners ” he said.

 

“Everything went well and the support I received from pacers, the checkpoint team and other supporters en route was incredible.

 

“I had a bad patch on the second night, passing through the Vale of Mowbray.  I passed out twice at the checkpoint in Danby Wiske. The locals spilt out of the pub with £50 in donations – how could I not continue after that?

 

‘I was glad to get back into the hills after Ingleby Cross and I actually got stronger as the Sunday went on’’, said Matt

 

Matt, who is the Area Ranger for Upper Wensleydale, decided on the run to raise cash for the breast cancer unit at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, where his partner, 44-year-old Andrea Burden, is undergoing treatment.

 

“So far I have raised £7,800 and there is more coming in – it’s just creeping up and up and I am very grateful to all those who have sponsored me,” he said.

 

It isn’t too late to help the unit by making a donation – just visit

www.justgiving.com/matts-coast-to-coast-ultra-marathon.

 

Matt’s colleagues in the National Park Authority have supported him all the way, turning up with food and drink, or running sections with him.

 

Andrea, who works as a Planning Officer for the Authority, was diagnosed with breast cancer in September last year and has been receiving care from nursing staff in the unit.

 

“This has highlighted the importance of specialised equipment and support – so I have decided to help them to help others,” Matt said.

 

“Unfortunately breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, with one in nine women developing breast cancer at some point in their lives.”

 

Matt is no stranger to ultra-marathons, having previously run six, 100-mile challenge events, including the Lakeland 100. He has also twice taken part in the gruelling 166kms Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc which has a total of 30,000ft ascent, around the famous mountain in the Alps.

 

Asked if he was now thinking of breaking his new personal best record, he said: “I don’t think so – I’m quite content with that one.”

 

 

 

Matt Neale - Yorkshire Dales Area Ranger’s 190-mile run for charity

 

 

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Ranger Matt Neale is training hard for the longest run of his life – 190 miles in under 60 hours.

 

The 37-year-old, who is the Area Ranger for Upper Wensleydale – is planning to run the gruelling Coast-to-Coast route from St Bee’s Head to Robin Hood’s Bay, on June 25 / 26  to raise cash for the breast cancer unit at Northallerton Hospital, where his partner Andrea Burden is undergoing treatment.

 

Andrea, 44, works as a Planning Officer for the YDNPA.

 

 

It won’t be the first long-distance run Matt has taken part in – but he says it will be the toughest.

 

And his colleagues in the National Park Authority are behind him 100 per cent of the way.

 

“Andrea was diagnosed with breast cancer in September last year and she has received fantastic care from nursing staff in the Scott Suite cancer unit at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton,” Matt said.

 

“This has highlighted the importance of specialised equipment and support – so I have decided to help them to help others and I hope to raise several thousands of pounds.

 

“Unfortunately breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, with one in nine women developing breast cancer at some point in their lives.”

 

Matt has previously run six, 100-mile challenge events, including the Lakeland 100, and has twice taken part in the gruelling 166kms Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc which has a total of 30,000ft ascent, around the famous mountain in the Alps.

 

“I think this will be the hardest I have done,” he said.

 

“I have run for 38 hours continuously on a previous event. I might have the odd 10 minutes sleep here and there but I don’t intend to sleep or stop for several hours – I pretty much plan to keep going from start to finish.

 

“I’ve got great support from Kudu Bikes in Hawes, which has printed flyers and T shirts for me and is providing a van for support checkpoints. And Lyon Equipment, Suunto, Innov 8, and Orange mountain bikes have donated outdoor gear that is being auctioned off to raise money.  I’ve also got a dozen other runners who will be running different sections to help keep me going, which will a great help.”

 

David Butterworth, the YDNPA’s Chief Executive, said: “Matt’s effort is truly inspirational. It feels quite humbling to watch him as he attempts to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause.

 

“The staff at the National Park Authority have been deeply touched by his determination and will be supporting him all the way to the finish.”

 

Anyone wanting more info on the run should visit

www.justgiving.com/matts-coast-to-coast-ultra-marathon.