Rob and Katie crowned champions in one of the world’s toughest races
A HUSBAND and wife, who met as students at Ripon Grammar School, have been crowned overall champions in a gruelling world-renowned Lake District marathon challenge.
Rob and Katie Harrison ran ten marathons in ten consecutive days around Lake Windermere – finishing as first male and first female overall.
The legendary Brathay 10-in-10 challenge is considered one of the world’s toughest endurance running events,
Across the ten days, the couple covered more than 262 miles and each marathon included around 600 metres of elevation on what is widely regarded as one of the UK’s toughest road marathon routes.
Rob averaged an incredible 2 hours, 49 minutes and 26 seconds per marathon across the ten days and also broke the overall Brathay 10-in-10 course record and set the fastest ever individual marathon lap in the event’s history.
Katie completed the challenge with an average marathon time of 3 hours, 46 minutes and 6 seconds.
“Amazingly, we both ran our fastest marathon times on the final day of the challenge despite already having completed nine marathons on consecutive days,” said Katie
As founders of Ripon-based Picture News, a weekly news resource aimed at inspiring children, they also used the challenge to inspire schools through their 10-in-10 for Schools initiative.
The campaign encouraged children to take on their own positive challenges linked to resilience, wellbeing and perseverance.
“There were moments during the week where it felt completely overwhelming physically and mentally, but the support from schools, family, friends and the whole Brathay community kept us going,” said Katie,
“The camaraderie throughout the event was incredible and reminded us how supportive and encouraging the running community really is.
“Completing the challenge together made the experience even more special for both of us.
“The challenge also coincided with the 10th anniversary of Picture News, making the event particularly meaningful for our family.”
Previously, the pair had run 24 marathons and long-distance endurance races between them.
Kate (formerly Marsden) left RGS in 2004 to study primary education at Lancaster University and first took up running 18 years ago, following an impulse to sign up for the Great North Run.
Rob, who left RGS in 2003 to study wildlife biology at Newcastle University, ran his first marathon in 2017.
Read our previous story on Rob and Katie's running achievements here
Read Katie’s interview with Ripon Runners
Q: Tell us about your typical running schedule? What sort of distances do you normally run, and are you regular marathon runners?
A: We typically run between 40-80 miles per week building up 100 mile weeks ahead of big events such as the 10-in-10! We both love the marathon distance as it’s long enough to really test endurance but not too long that you can’t run again the next day! – And it always feels like such an incredible achievement. We’re not sure of the exact number but think we’ve run around 40-50 marathons in total.
Q: What made you want to enter for the 10-in-10?
A: After taking part in the individual Windermere Marathon in 2017 (which took place on Day 10 of that years’ event), we noticed a number of the runners were wearing 10-in-10 t-shirts. On completion, when we realised what this was and we were very much in awe but didn’t think much more to it at the time!
Over the past few years as we’ve gradually eased into endurance running, wanting to push ourselves further than a marathon we were reminded of the event. As it was our businesses 10 year birthday and my 40th – it felt like a great way to mark the occasion! Though this was our first multi-day event, so it did feel like we’d jumped in the deep end!
To add - we’ve both improved a lot since taking part in the Windermere Marathon in 2017. My time in that single marathon was an hour slower than my average time in each of the 10 marathons, and Rob’s time in the 2017 marathon was about 25 mins slower than his 10-in-10 average!
Q: Did you use any special training program to get ready for the 10-in-10? How did you prepare, and over what period?
A: Since last year I’ve been working with a brilliant coach, Joe Baker. He originally trained me for Endure24 a 24hr running race in Leeds. Although he primarily guides me, Rob takes on board much of his brilliant advice!
The key part of the training for the 10-in-10 was back-to-back long runs, we both did a lot of 3hr runs over 3 days building up to around 90-100 mile weeks – and of course including lots of hills given the undulation of the Windermere Marathon route.
Another really important element was fuelling, We both did a lot of training with gels and other energy sources so our stomachs could handle it over the 10-days.
Q: Tell us about the 10-in-10 event itself – what was the atmosphere like, how did it feel being there?
A: It felt like being part of a family, given the circumstances and the daunting challenge ahead, we all bonded very quickly. We ate all our meals together and supported each other before, during and after each of the marathons
There were real highs and lows throughout. We started with 19 runners and over the course of the event 5 sadly were unable to finish due to injury, it showed the true difficulty of what we were doing, and the toll it took on our bodies.
The last marathon was very emotional. We all took a victory walk past all of our families, friends and the support team who were all cheering for us.
As a group, we’re already planning a potential reunion race in the Autumn!
Q: From a running perspective, how did the races go for you? Any particularly good/tricky stages?
A: Interestingly my least favourite marathon was Day 1! It was my slowest by around 4 minutes and the difficult course made the reality of what was ahead very real.
The last one had to be my favourite, the sun shone all day and knowing it was the last time we’d be running past each of the landmarks felt quite special!
Q: Did you need to prepare each day? Were there any particular warm-up/warm-down/stretching routines that enabled you to get through the whole 10 days?
A: The event is brilliantly supported by the University of Cumbria and we were lucky enough to each be paired with a second year sports rehab student, we had twice daily massages and they were able to support and – and lots of blister taping as the days progressed!
Q: How did it feel when you finally finished? Would you do it again?!
A: It’s maybe too soon to answer this one! At the moment it’s most likely a no, we both feel we achieved a lot! Rob broke the course record by around 5 mins and being first female and achieving the Vet 40 record
Q: If you were running for charity, can you tell us which one, and why you were supporting it? If you’d like to say how much you raised, please do (only if you want to!)
A: The 10-in-10 is an event organised and supported by the Brathay Trust – a brilliant charity that provide the most wonderful opportunity
Our aim was to raise £3,000 each.
Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about Ripon Runners, and how the club helps with your running generally?
A: We’re very proud to be Ripon Runners!
Ripon Runners has been a huge support to both of us, not just during the 10-in-10 but throughout our running journey generally. Even though we now live in Spain, we still very much feel part of the club and always appreciate the encouragement and support from everyone.
We love representing Ripon Runners in all the events we do and hope we made the club proud with our 10-in-10 achievement!
Q: Just so we can give a mention to your town/village, can you tell us where you live?
A: We now spend a lot of time in Spain, but our work and home here are in Grantley, based on Rob’s family’s farm. Our favourite running route is down to Ripon via the Deer Park in Studley and back up through Sawley with lots of beautiful views - and hills!
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to say?
A: I think this event highlighted how truly wonderful the running community is and how much difference the support of others can make.
When you’re really tested to your limits and going through lots of highs and lows – the support and kindness is often the only thing that will get you through.
Doing something like this is tough, both mentally and physically draining. Despite running often being seen as a solitary sport, this challenge showed just how connected and supportive the running community really is.
The camaraderie between everyone was incredible, whether it was between runners, volunteers, supporters and organisers, everyone genuinely wanted each other to succeed.
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