Phil Tufnell calls for runners for £500,000 marathon world record attempt

Thursday, 26 January 2012

Phil Tufnell, former England cricketer and Brain Tumour UK Patron, is calling on the people of Britain to take part in RelayGB, Britain’s world record attempt for distance relay running.

RelayGB is an ambitious challenge that will see hundreds of runners covering 3,100 miles in 119 non-stop, back to back marathons while raising £500,000 in aid of Brain Tumour UK.

The event, which is supported by adidas, is taking place between 4 - 23 May 2012 and will attempt to break the current world record for long distance relay running at 1,923 miles. 

The route starts in London and will follow the coastline of Britain, taking in major cities such as Southampton, Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle.

Runners of all abilities can take part and at least two of the six runners on each 26 mile leg will need to be able to run a marathon in under four hours. 

Runners can enter as individuals or as teams doing a ‘relay within a relay‘ sharing the 26 mile leg. Corporate and running club entries are also welcome.

Former London Marathon winner, Mike Gratton, will be running a marathon leg in RelayGB. Mike said: “I can’t wait to join the 700-strong team at RelayGB in May. This world record attempt is a massive challenge and in aid of a great cause - Brain Tumour UK.”

Once the route is completed and verified, everyone who runs will be able to say that they took part in a world record.

There is a £50 entry fee for individual runners and £80 for teams. Each runner will also be asked to raise a £1000 minimum sponsorship. The funds raised will go to Brain Tumour UK, the leading, caring charity committed to fighting brain tumours. 

Despite 40 people being diagnosed every day in the UK with a primary brain tumour, only 2% of all cancer research funding in the UK goes to brain tumour research. Brain tumours now kill more children than leukemia in this country and are the biggest child cancer killer.

Phil Tufnell, who is also a team captain on the BBC’s A Question of Sport, supports Brain Tumour UK alongside another cricketing patron, Alan Igglesden, who is living with a brain tumour. They both support the charity in memory of Kent cricketer, Richard Davis. 

Phil said: "I’m calling on the British public to dust off your trainers and join in RelayGB. This exciting new challenge event is your chance to take part in a world record attempt and help raise half a million for Brain Tumour UK. So sign up today.”

RelayGB Director, John Stanford, ran 20 marathons for Brain Tumour UK in 2010 and RelayGB is his current and biggest challenge yet.

John started fundraising for Brain Tumour UK after witnessing the devastating effects of the disease on his long-time friend and colleague, David Fryer who was diagnosed in 2005.

 “It’s frightening seeing what David’s going through,” explains John. “It’s a constant battle with operations, chemotherapy and convalescence. It puts life and its problems into a sharp perspective."

“Brain Tumour UK is working hard to get the resources that are needed to research more effective diagnostic and treatment options. We believe in their work, and we hope you do too.”

Jenny Baker, Chief Executive at Brain Tumour UK, said: “John’s energy, dedication and enthusiasm is amazing. We can’t thank him enough. RelayGB will be an epic and inspirational event and we are delighted that Phil Tufnell has signed up to take part too.

“Last year we invested £183,000 in world-class scientific research to improve the quality of life for brain tumour patients, identify better treatments and, ultimately, defeat the disease. With the money we raised from RelayGB we hope to double that in 2012.”

Visit www.relaygb.org now to find out more and sign up. Register now for your chance to be a world record holder.