Fenland-based Three Counties Running Club members support charity quest
Three Counties Running Club have some amazing members but this month has shown just how they go above and beyond to support some fantastic charities and each other.
Back in June 2023, club member Phil Newton decided to support the charity MND - Motor Neurone Disease.
After watching a very emotional and heartfelt documentary about Rob Burrows, an ex-Rhinos player who was diagnosed in 2016 with MND and his bond with teammate Kevin Sinfield, Newton decided he wanted to make a difference and took on The Leeds marathon along with his wife Vicki raising money for MND.
After completing the marathon Phil knew that this wasn’t it and he wanted to raise more awareness and money for this incredible cause.
January is always a tough month in more ways than one, no money after Christmas, putting on weight from too much food and drink and lack of motivation to get out and run as the weather is so cold and dark.
The TCRC member decided that January would be the month to start his challenge.
As Rob Burrows wore the number 7 shirt when he played, Phil decided that he would run 7.1 miles every day during the month of January,
He had to contend with lots of different weather conditions to take on but always had the support of his clubmates and friends to help support him along the way.
At the start, Phil said: "It felt good getting out there and running some steady, chatty runs but it got harder towards the end when the miles started to take its toll on my body.
"My back, hips and legs started to feel heavy, especially after one of my runs was the Folksworth 15 miler but I knew I had to carry on regardless and get to the end."
On the last day of January, Newton’s last run, TCRC had an incredible turnout of over 35 runners to support him and run his last run with him.
Newton managed to cover 230 miles, and 600,000 steps and has so far raised more than £2,200.
Another member who also took on a challenge in January was Dawn Goodley.
Goodley took part in the Move Every Day for MIND, completing an activity every day during January, whether it be a run, walk or gym session to raise money and awareness.
Parkrun results
Colney Park: Amy Baxter 23:13 (third female, second in age).
Clumber Park: Craig Freestone 29:28, Tracey Else 31:50.
March: Jonathan Quail 23:34, Laura Vincent 29:30.
Thornham Wells: Colin Apps 34:21, Joely Apps 35:59.
King's Lynn: Rachel Elliot 33:20 (25th parkrun).
Wisbech: Alfie Grant 21:32 (sixth/148), Richard Allen 22:09, Victoria May 26:16, Phillip Cooper 26:20, Dawn Goodley 26:27 (second in age), Sarah Johnson 27:51, Claire Smithee 27:54, Naomi Smith 28:25, Tamara Barnes 28:31, David Hammond 32:04, Sally Fawkes 33:46, Sarah Lamb 34:32, Tracy Pratt 43:35, Sarah-Jane Macdonald 43:36.
