More than 60 runners join 48-hour lockdown event
More than 60 runners from the Oswestry area took part in a 48-hour race – all held within lockdown regulations.
With events from park runs to marathons unable to take place in their usual way, the Yorkshire-based Selby Striders posted a virtual relay event online, the Lockdown 48-hour challenge.
Three local clubs, the Oswestry Olympians, Girls on the Run and Ellesmere Runners, separately took on the challenge to see how many miles they could complete from Friday lunchtime to Sunday lunchtime, with one member at a time covering an hour or two before handing the baton over on the group social media page.
Oswestry Olympians won the overall event and a trophy with 38 members covering 347 miles.
For each team it meant some running through the night, either on treadmills or in the deserted streets or even canal towpaths.
All agreed it had been a welcome boost to lift spirits in lockdown.
The runners ranged from teenagers, such as Demi Williams who ran with mum Lou for the Olympians, to those in their 60s such as Will Davison from Wem who took Ellesmere Runners’ mascot, his dog Buddy, with him on his muddy runs.
Amanda Bebbington is still recovering after suffering Covid last April and was delighted to feel well enough to do a stint for Girls on the Run.
Pam Lloyd, who first saw the event and put it to the groups, ran an hour for each club.
She said: “I think it was a real boost to everyone’s spirits.
"And there was a perfect ending to the event in Oswestry when I was doing the last leg for Girls on the Run with the Oswestry Olympians runner.”
