The Cyprus Challenge consists of four races in four days. Bob had tried for many years to get me to accompany him. Eventually he convinced me and in 2023 I went with him, as a very unfit, overweight 65 year old. I walked 3 or 4 times in the 6k (in over 36 mins). I didn’t run the hill climb or half marathon. I managed the 10km in 64 mins.
I promised Bob in the hospice that I would go back this year and run all four in his club vest. This time I trained a bit. I joined Truro Runners and built myself up into 10 miles non stop. Never as far as a half though. I also managed to lose 18lb in weight.
Day 1 – 6km Time Trial (30m 46s)
This was a flat, road course in warm conditions. Because of the narrowness of the start, runners were set off at 10 second intervals. You had no idea who was where in terms of positions but chip timing meant they could work that out later. Having only had one pint on arrival the day before I found myself going much better than expected. I reached 5km in a record for the last few years. I finished feeling quite happy but knowing the challenge was yet to come.
Day 2 – 11km Hill Run (1hr 26m 18s)
I knew this was going to be tough. I walked part of the hills and picked up on the downhills. Camaraderie was great as runners supported each other. Two marshalls even shouted for Bob as I passed. Conditions weren’t bad at all. Having taken it easy because of the following day I even managed a sprint finish. This was a point to point run on road and stony tracks. The profile is in the attachments. Hill all the way with 2,000 feet of climb.
Day 3 – Half Marathon (2h 35m 48s)
This was torture but there was no way I was giving up. Hot conditions. Mountainous. A changed course from previous years. No shade. 25 degrees.
I really struggled. I even found myself walking a short downhill at one point. My longest run in over 20 years. The profile is in the attachments. Basically all up hill for the first 13km. I can’t say I enjoyed it at all. Lots of water stations helped. One man in my age category beat me by a minute or two (but I would get my revenge!). My legs were jelly at the end and I made sure I concentrated on rehydrating.
Day 4 – 10km (54m 11s)
Up at 5.45 for a small breakfast ten onto the coach to Pathos for the picturesque start on the harbour wall. A flat road race but very windy. I set off just hoping to get under an hour. My first km was just under 6 mins. After this I actually got into a rhythm and ran the second half of the race quicker than the first. It was a great feelin knowing I was going to finish the challenge and make Bob happy. I also beat the chap who overtook me yesterday by over 4 minutes.
I finished 4th out of 11 in my age category over the whole 4 days.
I received a lot of support from people who remembered Bob. The best part was when I received a call in my room whilst relaxing after the races. One of the marshalls had heard of Bob and my reasons for running. They found out where I was staying and gave me medals from 2023 and 2024 (see attachment) for Bob’s children. I will give them to Richard (his son) and return Bob’s ‘deckchair’ vest at the same time. I wore the vest for all four races as promised. I told Richard I had washed it afterwards and he informed me it hadn’t been washed since he took it out of Bob’s bag after last year’s trip!!
Oh well, Bob. Hope you enjoyed watching down on that adventure. Cheers, mate.
