SIX athletes from a Cuddington-based club were running hot in an incredible challenge as they raised funds for The Christie.

Cheshire Dragons members Ross McNair, Anna Parsons, Katie Dickinson, Tommy Armstrong, Steve Duffy and Helen Harrington attempted to run a staggering 100 miles on Wednesday, June 21.

As it was, the extreme weather conditions meant it took longer to complete their mission than targeted.

Their course was anti-clockwise around The Cheshire Circuit, which is 92miles, and eight additional miles were added around Marbury, with their route starting and finishing at Carey Park.

This run took in the full Sandstone trail, including a difficult climb up and over Rawhead and finished with another tough climb up and over Frodsham hill.

Helen said: "We did complete the run although the terrain and heat meant it took 31 hours not 24 hours.

"Day one felt like a rainforest at times, with hot humid conditions and overgrown sections of the trails.

"Once we got to the Sandstone trail it was a little better going and the kindness of Cheshire Dragons meant we barely spent any time on that section without support runners.

"Overgrown wet terrain overnight took its toll on the team and we suffered badly with our feet but managed to push through to the end and our fundraising total so far stands at £7,219."

Training for the event took an enormous time commitment and led to the team being lost in fields and confronted by streams as they worked as best as they could to be prepared for the day.

Helen said: “It goes without saying that running nearly four back-to-back marathons is no easy feat.”

They had set a fundraising goal of £5,000, and donations are still being accepted at justgiving.com/midsummer100.

Their motivation levels were high.

In July, 2020, Katie’s step sister, Rochelle, who had just turned 30, was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, which had spread to her lungs.

Helen said: “After a year of doing everything in her power to heal from within, along with all the various medical treatment, it eventually spread to her brain, and she passed away in September 2021.”

So Katie and her four fellow Cheshire Dragons runners took on this challenge as a way to remember Rochelle and to raise funds for The Christie, a charity which provides enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds.

Helen said: “Gifts from the public make a huge difference to the care and treatment that they can provide to their patients and their families.”