​Husband and wife super runners take on biggest challenge yet

TWO RGS past pupils who have run 24 marathons and long-distance endurance races between them are preparing for their biggest challenge yet.

Husband and wife Rob and Katie Harrison will run ten marathons in ten days around Windermere in May.

The super-fit pair recently came in first (men’s) and second (women’s) place in the Endure24 race in Leeds, running for 24 hours to complete 125 and 115 miles respectively.

Katie (formerly Marsden), who left RGS in 2004 to study primary education at Lancaster University, first took up running 18 years ago, following an impulse to sign up for the Great North Run.

“As soon as I crossed the finish line of my first race, I knew I wanted to push myself further, sparking a love of chasing new challenges, from marathons to ultras,” she says.

Rob, who left RGS in 2003 to study wildlife biology at Newcastle University, ran his first marathon in 2017.

The year before, just after the birth of their third child, the couple set up Ripon-based Picture News, a weekly news resource aimed at inspiring children and helping them make sense of the world around them, which now supports more than 6,000 schools and employs a team of 12.

Former teacher Katie told how their shared love of running, which began as a way to clear their heads around busy work and family life, soon grew into a passion for endurance challenges.

“Life can be busy at times with three children and a business, but running has always remained a priority, keeping me sane – providing challenge and escape in equal measure,” she says.

“Running has become an important part of how we stay grounded, challenge ourselves and find balance. It has been my one constant, and a way to put challenging situations from every part of life into perspective.

She says: “I feel truly honoured to be part of the 20th Brathay 10in10 team, taking on 10 marathons in 10 days alongside my husband.”

Rob, excited to take on this latest challenge for the first time with his wife, adds: “Ten marathons in ten days is something which a few years ago would have been impossible for us both, yet now we are here and ready for the challenge!”

“I’ve used running to increasingly help put everyday stresses into perspective. If you ever get the chance to get into running, set an initial goal and just keep going, just that bit further each time. Don’t worry about how fast just keep moving, over time you’ll be amazed what you can achieve. You’ll go to both mental and physical places you never knew existed.”

Katie's race history

2010London Marathon (my first marathon)

2011Marathon du Médoc

2017Windermere Marathon

2019Race to the Stones – 100km

2020Chiltern Wonderland – 50 miles

2022The Wall – 70 miles

2022Endure 24 – 90 miles

2023Valencia Marathon

2023Endure 24 – 100 miles

2024Barcelona Marathon

2024Ibiza Marathon

2024 Round Ripon Ultra – 35 miles (2nd female)

2024Endure 24 – 90 miles

2025Endure 24 – 115 miles (2nd female)

Rob’s race history

2017Windermere Marathon

2019Race to the Stones – 100km

2020Chiltern Wonderland – 50 miles

2022The Wall – 70 miles

2023Valencia Marathon

2023Endure 24 – 100 miles

2024Barcelona Marathon

2024Ibiza Marathon

2024 Round Ripon Ultra – 35 miles (1st place)

2025Endure 24 – 125 miles (1st place)

Their next challenge

*The Brathay 10in10

  • WHEN Friday 1st May 2026, 9:30am
  • WHERE Brathay Hall, Ambleside, LA22 0HP
  • ENTRIES CLOSE Thursday 31st July 2025, 1:00pm

Starting in 2007 the Brathay 10in10 was the World’s first 10 marathons in 10 days stage race, with the challenge being to run ten laps of the stunning Windermere Marathon course over ten days.