A FORWARD pack from Barnard Castle Ladies Rugby Team have shown they can move as quickly as any of the backs or wings by successfully completing a virtual John O’Groats to Land’s End challenge.
The challenge was organised by Battle PT UK which attracted 16 teams, each with four members.
Robert Proud, of Battle PT, said he was amazed at how the Barney forward pack of Donna Shan, Sarah Sowerby, Michelle Kane and Helen Million competed against other teams that included running clubs and boot camp members.
He said: “In the last two days they jumped three spaces to get the eight spot.
“We had some really competitive teams and they
just walked the floor with them.”
Teams were required to run, walk or use a treadmill in relay fashion to complete the 874 miles it takes to get from John O’Groats to Land’s End.
Starting on June 1, the Barnard Castle team completed the challenge last month.
Mr Proud said: “It took them just over a month to complete.”
As for the rugby forwards who are traditionally the slowest players in a rugby team, competing against seasoned runners and bootcamp members, Mr Proud said: “It has been one of those competitions where it is a
different set of skills to be competitive.
“It is about consistency and the girls were consistent.”
It was rugby player Sarah Sowerby’s idea for the group to take part.
She said: “All of us have loads going on in our lives and it was just something to keep us motivated and to keep up a bit of team spirit.”
Michelle Kane, who completed her part of the rely on a treadmill, found the challenge tough going at the start.
She said: “It was amazing. In the first week I thought I was never going to finish it.
“When we got to the middle of it there were just a few miles between three or four teams and I said come on, we can do this.”
Ms Sowerby added: “All we wanted to do was not come last. We landed smack bang in the middle, which is good for us.”
The group have been so inspired by their performance they have signed up to take part in the virtual Great North Run, known as the Great North Run Solo, which set off on June 28 and ends on September 13.
The challenge is to complete 40 runs over the 78 days – a run for each year of the Great North Run.
