Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Bowed, but not quite broken, Bryan Clover, CEO of the industry charity the Raindy Day Trust, hobbled over the line at the end of his mammoth 84-mile non-stop hike from Bath to Reading.
He managed the 84 mile trek in 32hours, 42minutes, a full 16 hours ahead of the targeted 48 hours and says that, by the end, t was more of a shuffle than a walk.
“Not to beat about the bush, it hurt. A lot. At Reading I was completely spent. I had hit the proverbial wall with no energy left in my legs. I had taken a stonking 166,500 steps in less than one and a half days. Today (Sunday) standing up is a challenge, and walking, well basically, that isn’t going to happen for a while. Had breakfast in bed for the first time in years. I’m not sure how, but I think I may have broken a toe!”
Industry supporters came out all along the route to cheer him on. Clover says that the bacon butties and coffee on Saturday morning in Newbury from Kellaway’s commerial director Sean Morgan gave him the energy and drive to keep going. Kellaway were one of the event’s sponsors and Morgan provided re-fuelling stops every 6 hours.
Among the challenges Clover saud he met were an awful night of walking in tnick fog, several turned ankles and a few falls. “He says “The fog cold soaked me and my morale disappeared; frankly I nearly bailed out at 102km. Sean and his bacon butties gave me the energy to keep going – Kellaway Building Supplies should hang on to that man, he is an absolute star! He saw that I was flagging and gave me a boost. Thank you as well to Aaron Frogley and Mel for turning up at midnight with emergency supplies!
“Thank you to everyone who sponsored me – it’s a cliche, but to know that people care enough to throw their hard-earned cash at something like this, but it does spur you on, knowing that people have faith in you.”
“The hike in numbers: 84 miles/134km walked – 166,500 steps, 9,200 calories burned, 18kg carried with water/food/spare clothes etc, 13 bottles of water, and 2 litres of coke drunk, 5 bananas eaten, too many oaty bars to count and so far, £8,489 raised. And to the guy on Saturday morning who said that it was easy because it was flat, you are so lucky you didn’t end up in the canal!
“Take it from me, I’m NEVER doing that again. Until I change my mind that is!”
The link to sponsor is :
