As a proud club and 48 year old Masters athlete I am honoured to be able to represent GB Masters at International competitions. I am very lucky in that I am supported by Yorkshire Sport who provide free access to all the facilities I need to train. It is to cover the cost of entry and travel for myself and vital support that I am trying to raise funds.

I spend a lot of my time outside competition and training promoting the sport as a committee member of my regional masters club and as Chairman of my local club Spenbourough & District AC. I have also built a program to enable road and multi terrain athletes to learn about and experience track and field athletics which started locally and has since been adopted and launched by England Athletics as only 1 in 7 registered athletes ever compete on the track as it is seen as an elite sport.

In my blog I start by saying “I came 350th in my local cross country league” to highlight that anyone of any ability can compete on the track, so long as you are signposted to the correct event for you, armed with the right information so that you are comfortable and know what to do and where to go!

I have always been an athlete capable of filling in at any event, but have never been the best at any single event. I did this as a youth and again now I have been able to return to the sport 9 years later I do the same for my club at league matches, often competing in up to 7 events in one afternoon.

I disciovered Masters Multi events and came second in my first championship, the Pentathlon. I complete my first Decathlon 3 months later in the British Championship which included a match against USA Masters, coming 5th. This taught me that I needed to learn to pole vault so at the age of 46 I received some caoching – enough to get me a few points, and to compete at open age for my club in the league.

Masters athletes are self funded and compete in the main for the love of the sport – we cannot all win medals on the international stage but we all work hard and help each other out. It is this cameraderie as well as the challenge that I love.

This challenge that I am attempting is my first official ultra event and consists of 20 events in 2 days – basically every track and field event you have ever seen plus one invented to fill the quota! I will be attempting to do:

Day 1
100m, Long jump, 200m hurdles, Shot put, 5000m
800m, High jump, 400m, Hammer, 3000m steeplechase

Day 2
110m hurdles, Discus, 200m, Pole vault, 3000m
400m hurdles, Javelin, 1500m, Triple jump, 10000m

To do all this I need support so am paying for a colleague to join me to take care of anything that comes up during the 2 days and to make sure I can get home! This support is normally around nutrition and hydration and is invaluable. This is why I would like your help and support.