Last Weekend, 36 Year Old Athlete, Ross Bark From Stranraer took on one of his hardest quests yet by completing the 4 x 4 x 48 challenge.
This would see the Ross run 4 miles, every 4 hours, for 48 hours! The gruelling event is defined as “survival of the fittest” as it tests runners both mentally and physically. The 4 x 4 x 48 challenge was originally created by David Goggins, a famous American ultramarathon runner, ultra-distance cyclist, triathlete, motivational speaker and author.
David first launched the challenge in 2020 and it proved to be so successful that he brought it back this year.
Caring Ross being a seasoned, competitive runner who regularly clocks up over 70 miles in training on a weekly basis, knew he would have the fitness and stamina to do it and in doing so decided he would raise funds for Thorneycroft Care Home in Stranraer.
A total of 14 people sadly lost their lives at the care home following an outbreak of Covid-19 earlier this year which saw both residents and staff test positive for the deadly virus.
Ross said “like so many within the local community, I was devastated and deeply touched to hear of the people who had sadly passed away and I wanted to do this challenge in memory of them, to hopefully generate enough funds for a memorial garden or a nice day away for the residents and hardworking staff to enjoy when things return to normal.”
Looking ahead to the challenge, Ross knew the hardest legs were going to be at midnight and 4am with not much sleep and plenty of adrenaline flowing!
Ross added “I stay just round the corner from Thorneycroft and every day my training takes me past the care home, so I was confident this would inspire me to succeed.”
Starting last Friday 12th March, Ross set off on (leg 1 of 12) at 4pm in high spirits and was back again in a speedy pace of well under 26 minutes, to give him plenty of time to rest up and eat before his next run.
He said “I knew part of the challenge would be knowing when to eat and rest adequately, to give my body the best chance to perform at it’s optimal!”
Ross would continue to get this balance right as he showed great determination, passion and willingness throughout all of his next legs, maintaining a solid strong pace to overcome the difficulties of sleep deprivation, muscle cramps and stomach problems. He battled tremendously having been faced with the elements of heavy rain and wind in each run!
Going into his last leg on Sunday with less than 4 hours sleep, Ross was upbeat knowing he was nearly there! Again the heavy downpours opened up as Ross powered on, storming into finish at Thorneycroft carpark to record his fastest leg and to a wonderful ovation from all the residents & staff and Ross’s family who were all ecstatic at his achievement!
“The reception I got was simply amazing, with one of the staff members even playing the bagpipes especially, as I sprinted in to burst through the ribbon held by my lovely children, raising my hands in sheer delight! Said an emotional Ross.”
“The nightshift workers were out on force for me, during the early hours of every run with banners made which really spurred me on!” Ross continued; “I would like to say a really big Thank you from the bottom of my heart the whole of Stranraer who has got behind me in doing this challenge for Thorneycroft and for everyone’s very kind donations which has been greatly appreciated. People in Australia, America and all over the UK kindly donated to me, adding to the fantastic amount of over £3,000 which has now been achieved!”
“I never really had a target and this is an incredible amount! I hope the Thorneycroft residents & staff can treat themselves with a nice memorial garden planned and that this can bring smiles of happiness to all their faces from what has been a hard and difficult time for them all.” “I would also like to Thank Lisa Higgins manager of Thorneycroft, staff and residents for giving me the opportunity to do this challenge for them.”
“Finally I would like to Thank dearly my wonderful and very supportive family, my wife Karen and kids Mia, Rhys & Louie and my Mum Megan & Dad Jim who were a tower of strength and were behind me every step of the way!”
“I am extremely proud of my achievements and I will remember this weekend fondly for a very long time!”
Ross’s justgiving page is staying open until the end of the month and the link if anyone would still care to donate can be found at:- https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/for-thorneycroft
