7 Clarendons
199 Marathons!
If you run marathons or ultramarathons in the South-West there’s a strong likelihood you know Emma already, or at least have seen her at multiple events. Barely a weekend goes by when she is not running at least marathon distance (or occasionally cycling a long, long way instead) and anyone who has run with her could surely not help but be inspired by her enthusiasm.
Emma Challis reminds us that running a long way is meant to be fun, even though whilst doing so she is fighting battles many do not realise.
As a race director for Albion Running I have heard first-hand from many how Emma has helped the miles tick by during ultramarathons with her humour and her many anecdotes from races elsewhere. A truly selfless approach to racing; she stayed with a 19-year-old American student who was running our Westcountry Ultra Flat 50 Miler through concern for her welfare despite having another 50 miles to go afterwards. Emma went on to complete the 100 miler, seemingly on a diet of little but grapes and water, and had battled the pain she does on a daily basis along the way. She has helped many runners in this way but it’s good to hear that sometimes she is the one who is helped in return – a chivalrous runner on one of our races spent precious time disentangling Emma’s hair from some ferocious brambles!
The only surprising thing about this being Emma’s 200th marathon is that it’s not even more. However, she ran her first marathon around a decade ago and is showing zero signs of slowing down, so there are surely hundreds more to come. During those strange times at the beginning of this decade she ran 100 miles around her hometown of Shepton Mallet as soon as restrictions allowed. The phrase “Whatever next?” has rarely seemed so fitting for someone as it does for Emma, but I always look forward to finding out.
Emma has been quite open about her own health challenges to raise awareness of the issue of blood clots, a condition that first developed during a race that she still managed to finish. There are often times when she is in pain or feeling less than great but her determination to finish is what drives her and she absolutely will not let injury or illness get in the way of achieving her goals
Emma also manages to find time to volunteer for The Cats Protection League, a charity close to her heart and one she has raised a lot of money for over the years. If you are running Clarendon and don’t know Emma, she will be the one with long blonde hair, wearing a yellow cats protection top and skipping across the finishing line of her 200th marathon. A truly fantastic achievement.
