Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Blisters, bruises and bank holiday traffic - the tale of the hockey teams latest challenge
Eighteen members of the men’s team ran five marathons across Yorkshire from Monday 23 May to Friday 27 May. Meanwhile 35 girls from the women’s club climbed the highest peaks in Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scafell Pike) and Wales (Snowdon) on Saturday 28 May.
Having raised £4,000 last year by cycling from Leeds to Paris, the men’s team set a goal of £6,000 this year and £10,000 combined with the women’s team – the current total stands at £13,500. To donate go to http://bit.ly/1ZF8l9p.
We are truly overwhelmed by all the donations we have received for @mariecurieuk We have now raised over £13,000! pic.twitter.com/SjD9qJOGox
— Leeds Beckett Hockey (@LBUHC) 2 June 2016
Speaking about the experience, Matthew Dobson, Men’s Club Captain, said: “We ran a total of 131 miles over five long days - it’s safe to say it was the hardest and most painful week of our lives!
“People train for many months just to run one marathon - we started our training about four weeks prior to the event, and on top of that, we spent the week before celebrating the end of exams so we were not in the best shape!
“Over the course of the five days we pushed our bodies to our absolute physical and mental limits. We all had more blisters on our feet than we had toes - some even had blisters on their blisters! Everyone's ankles were twice as big as they should have been, no one could bend their knees properly and our muscles felt so tight we were worried that they would snap. The only thing that kept us going was our team spirit.
“However, we recognise that none of what we suffered comes close to the pain that people with terminal illnesses, and their families, go through on a daily basis. Marie Curie is an amazing charity that works to support and take care of these people. That is why we put ourselves through this, to try and raise as much money as possible.”
“Thank you to everyone who donated, came out to cheer and generally supported us - you kept us all going. Please continue to give generously.”
The women’s team decided to take on the National Three Peaks Challenge after the boys completed the same challenge two years earlier - they were determined to beat their time of 22 hours and 55 minutes.
Megan Walklin, Captain of the Women’s Club, said: “We set off up Ben Nevis in high spirits and the hot sun blazing on our backs. After mastering the icy mountain range at the top, the first girls reached the bottom in just four hours.
What a way to end university and my time at @LBUHC #3peakschamps #EndOfAnEra #smashedit 💜💚⛰ pic.twitter.com/uimnxanjNK
— Nicolle Stubbs (@Nicolleyx) 30 May 2016
“With sore ankles and many blisters we began the ascent of Scaffel Pike - a much steeper and rockier challenge. Once complete we made our way to Wales to climb Snowdon. Now the end was in sight. One more mountain and the chance to complete the challenge in under 24 hours. Unfortunately, due to the bank holiday traffic, it was soon clear that this would be impossible.
“Still determined, we marched up the mountain in our Marie Curie t-shirts, pushing ourselves more than we thought able. The first girls made it to the bottom in just three hours and fifty minutes. They reached the support vehicles with huge smiles on their faces knowing that they had raised money for a good cause. It was the only thought that kept us going in all honesty – that, and a warm shower!”
First ones down Snowdon, smashing it in 3hrs51mins. Sore feet but still smiling 😄 #national3peaks pic.twitter.com/54dnnSnYv2
— Leeds Beckett Hockey (@LBUHC) 29 May 2016
Marie Curie is the BUCS charity of the year.
For more information about our hockey clubs go to http://bit.ly/1Wp6TJP or follow the teams on Twitter @LBUHC or on Facebook at Leeds Beckett University Hockey Club