SpoonChallenges
Challenges of a lifetime knee injury ruled out rugby, Mike
Last year 328 people participated Bailey decided to have a go at the
in Spoon Challenge events and UK Ironman competition – 2.4 mile
pledged a magnificent sum of over swim, then 112 mile cycle and
£625,000. But there are also many rounded off with a marathon run
other intrepid individual (26.2 mile). His training started
adventurers out there who are early in the year with the race in
pushing themselves to the limits September. Here’s how it went!
and raising funds for Spoon. “Up at 3.45am and into a very
cold lake shortly after 6am. It was
Wayne Anderson, the Honorary absolute chaos as 1,500 swimmers
Secretary of the Surrey Region of headed in the same direction.
Wooden Spoon didn’t join the Visibility was about 30cm so I just
official End2End challenge but concentrated on avoiding the feet
went it alone a month later. He set in front of me, trying to find some and Ryan Howard completed a
out on Saturday 20th September clear water and establish a smooth marathon ‘climb’ of over 138,000ft
and achieved a lifetime ambition to rhythm. I Finished the swim in 1hr – the equivalent of climbing
cycle from Land’s End to John 13mins, 7 minutes ahead of target. Everest five times!
O’Groats. He took along some “Then onto the bike for 3 laps of Whilst not in the Himalayas
friends (not all of whom managed a course known to be tough and climbing snow and ice covered
to stay the course) on a somewhat hilly and with a fair breeze slopes in sub-zero blizzard packs, sponsorship forms,
longer ( in both time and distance) blowing, which didn’t help! The conditions, each team member fundraising aides such as collection
journey. It took him 20 days to highlight was definitely flying climbed for 6-7 hours, completing tins and a piece of clothing
complete the gruelling distance down a steep descent outside the equivalent of climbing Mount appropriate to their activity and,
(over 1,000 miles) and in the most Sherborne at 70mph. Second lap Everest, plus an additional 5,000ft. most importantly, friendly advice
appalling weather imaginable. The was the toughest but support on They did this in a continuous relay and support when needed.
very thought of cycling along roads the route was a great help. Very reaching the summit of 138,375ft
wheel-hub deep in water is not pleased to finish cycling in exactly in the relative comfort of the Gym So, if you’re feeling inspired
most people’s idea of fun, but 7hrs – bang on target. at Bank of America in Canary and already have a plan to
Wayne rose to the challenge and “Only the marathon left to go and Wharf on a Versaclimber machine. raise money for Spoon, or if
Spoon salutes a wonderful aiming at 4.5 hours. Support on In so doing it is believed that they you need some inspiration and
achievement. the run from family and friends are the only people ever to a nudge in the right direction,
Spoon will benefit to the tune of was absolutely amazing and I complete the challenge. (The contact our team in the
some £2,000 thanks to Wayne’s never knew where they were Versaclimber Company are not Challenge Office on 01889
efforts – congratulations to him! going to pop up next. I came aware of this ever having been 582889 or log onto
As he is newly retired, family and round one corner to be met by attempted previously.)
www.spoonchallenges.com.
friends are wondering what he’ll everyone shouting for me which On the way they beat a 24 hour You never know, it may well
get up to next! really blew me away. If I hadn’t record set by a team of 12 by change your life!
had sunglasses on you may have 5,000 feet. This was a physically
Yorkshire Committee volunteer thought you’d seen a tear – must and mentally gruelling challenge
Edward Jennings is planning on have been the wind in my eyes! only attempted after many months
participating in his 10th Four Peaks End of lap one and pleased I of intensive training . Over
Challenge in 2009 when he wasn’t flagging. End of lap 2 – and £13,000 was raised for Wooden
captains a ‘Wakefield Trinity actually thought, for the first time, Spoon thanks to the generosity of
Wildcats Super League Club team’. that I might do it! Up Sherborne the workers in the city of London
The team selection will depend on High Street for the last time and who supported Michael and his
the 2009 Super League fixtures but that time it seemed like a team in this incredible challenge.
already includes former Bradford mountain. Over the line for a 4hr
Bulls and Wakefield player, Davide 31min marathon and a total time A huge ‘Thank you’ to all those
Longo. This is a first for a Wooden of 13hrs 04mins and heard over who participated in their own
WOODEN SPOON
Spoon 4 Peaks event and hopefully the tannoy: “Well done Mike, challenges for Spoon. Please keep
CHALLENGE EVENTS
a positive to Spoon’s aspirations you’re an Ironman.” Awesome sending in your stories; they are
2009
within both rugby codes. Many feeling!! inspiring.
SUNDAY 26 APRIL
FLORA LONDON MARATHON
thanks to James Elston (Marketing “I’m glad to say that the aches and
Community Director) at the pains finally subsided. but it took a Spoon is always amazed at the
2-4 JULY
4 PEAKS CHALLENGE. SCOTLAND,
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats for his while before I could move from lengths people go to to raise
ENGLAND, WALES AND IRELAND
help and assistance in making this sitting to standing and back again money and the originality of the
20 JUNE
happen and best of luck to Edward without wincing! Total raised for ideas not to mention the pain that
SUMMER SOLSTICE BIKE RIDE
and the team. Wooden Spoon was just over people are prepared to endure in
ENGLAND AND WALES
As a result of Wakefield’s £4,000 so I guess it was all the name of Spoon. In response 11 SEPTEMBER
promotion of their involvement in worthwhile.” the Challenge Office is launching a
FORD RANGER GREAT LAKELAND
CHALLENGE, LAKE DISTRICT
the Four Peaks, nine other teams ‘Solo Challenge Service’, a support
from local Rugby league clubs have On 8th December, four intrepid package for anyone wishing to go
2010
AUGUST
also pledged their Support for the individuals set out on a quest to it alone doing their own chosen END2END CHALLENGE, 1 WEEK
event. Come on Rugby Union complete the 26 mile Marathon activity as our intrepid fundraisers
CYCLE CHALLENGE
teams… the battle of the codes distance…VERTICALLY! above have done. All fundraisers CONTACT DETAILS
begins with the entry form! After 27 hours and 40 minutes of will receive a dedicated page on
CHALLENGE OFFICE:
challenge@eventsunlimited.co.uk
intense physical effort Michael Old,
spoonchallenges.com, access to
01889 582 889
After taking up triathlon, when a Edouard Dischamp, Helen Biggs online fundraising and banking
36 Spoonews Winter 2009
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