Danny Watson, CatZero’s marathon running machine is just starting Day 14 of his epic 30in30 challenge – yes, he’s almost half-way there!
Today, as he sets off from Northallerton in North Yorks, he has an important update about a necessary change of route.
Whilst Danny’s dream was always to run from the south to north – Brighton to John O’Groats – the safety of him, his crew and those around them upon their return, must come first and with that in mind, he will no longer be running further north.
The growing prospect of greater COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in the North East and Scotland will see the team head east from Northallerton instead of north.
He will cross the North York Moors towards Whitby, head south again and run back into Hull before crossing over the Humber Bridge, into North Lincolnshire. He will then do a full Greater Lincolnshire Loop – edging right around the county to almost Peterborough where he will loop back up again along the coastline, through North East Lincolnshire, over the Bridge to finish in Hull on Thursday October 22nd with his 30 marathons and 800 miles completed.
“Whilst it would have been incredible to get to the very tip of Great Britain and has been my aim, safety must come first. With Scotland already preventing individual households from meeting, and greater restrictions across the North East quite possible, we simply did not feel it responsible or appropriate to take our run into those areas,” said Danny.
“The really positive side of this route change is that I will be running back through the areas where CatZero is based and where our charity makes such a difference to hundreds of people. Plus, I will be finishing at our offices in Hull – right beside the yacht that is such a huge part of my life. It is a perfect alternative,” he added.
Nearly at the half way point of his 30in30 with almost 400 miles under his belt, Danny, 50, says of his run so far: “It’s tough and getting tougher with every day but this is what I have trained for. My ambition is to raise money and to highlight the desperate situations that some people face within the Humber region day-after-day. Those people need CatZero’s support now, more than ever before in order that they can effect lasting change in their lives.”
Danny wants to thank again his 30in30 headline sponsor Linbrooke Services and key sponsors Adams and Green, ARCO, Beal Homes, Clipper Ventures PLC, Harris Lacey Swain, Hodson Architects, Horncastle Group, Informed Financial Planning, Marr, Pipers Crisps and the Sewell Group. It is also supported by the Scarborough Group Foundation and the W A Horncastle Charitable Trust.
To donate, Danny’s 30in30 Virgin Money Giving page is: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DannyWatson30in30
Click here for full details of the 30in30 challenge
Follow Danny’s journey on Instagram: dannywatsoncatzero
You can keep in touch with Danny, who is continuing his training regime, on our blogs section of the website
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