Richard raises £2k for the Christie

A Tameside athlete has raised over £2000 for the Christie. 

53-year-old Richard Bradbury tackled the 100 mile long South Downs Way Ultramarathon last month, one of the toughest events in the UK, reaching an astonishing 78 miles before injury forced him to withdraw. 

The man from Audenshaw was over 23 hours into the mammoth challenge before severe knee pain began to take its toll. 

“The hills and terrain were a lot tougher than I thought they’d be,” Richard told the Reporter following the event. 

“I felt a bit of pain in my knee around 40 miles in, but like most runners do I tried to ignore it. 

“It did go away for a while, but it began to slow me down quite a bit and I unfortunately had to call it a day.” 

Though Richard is an experienced runner, having taken part in several marathons and challenges including a 50-mile ultramarathon, this was undoubtedly his toughest challenge yet. 

“It’s as much about survival as it is about running,” said the 53-year-old. 

“You have to carry all sorts of gear like head torches, foil blankets, and you have to run all through the night as well. 

“It felt more like an eating competition at some points because of the constant need to refuel- I must’ve burnt over 10,000 calories. 

“I’m glad I gave it a go though. I’ve done a 50 mile ultra before and I just thought, if not now, then when? 

“I run a half marathon every Sunday as part of my training, and I’m comfortable with that now, so I just thought I’d try and challenge myself a bit more.” 

In preparation for the event, the inspirational athlete completed a whopping five marathons in just four weeks.  

He began the feat with the Manchester Marathon in late April, before running three more in May: Skipton, Leeds and White Peak Matlock.   

The Audenshaw resident then rounded off the four-week period with the Manchester Half Marathon, which he ran to and from, to take the total distance over 26.2 miles.  

As mentioned, Richard took part to raise funds for the Christie, a charity close to his heart. 

After losing his brother Tim to cancer back in 2011, Richard has been on a fundraising mission, raising over £13,000 for various cancer charities through the many challenges he has completed so far. 

In honour of his late brother, Richard ran the Manchester and Leeds Marathons in a tutu and scrum cap, as Tim was an enthusiastic dancer and represented Lancashire Under-21s in rugby union. 

“Tim was the best, he was the reason I started running. 

“We lost him in 2011, and he ran in the London Marathon two years prior. 

“So in 2019, when it was coming up to the 10th anniversary, I thought it’d be fitting if I marked the occasion by entering it myself. 

“I didn’t think I’d ever be a runner because I was never the athletic type, I was over 18 stone at one point.  

“But I did my first 10k event in 2018, and I’ve not looked back. 

“If you’d have told me back then I was going to enter a 100-mile ultramarathon I’d have said no chance!” 

After falling just short of the 100-mile mark in last month’s ultramarathon, the 53-year-old already has his sights set on giving it another shot, having signed up for next year’s 100 mile ultra in Chester.  

“I thought I’d give that one a go because it’s a lot flatter, and the hills are what finished me off in the last one. I’ll also be running for the Christie once again.” added Richard.  

Richard’s fundraising total from the South Downs Way Ultramarathon currently stands at £2,145 pounds, if you’d like to donate, please visit the following link: 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/richardbradbury2025