A FORMER soldier from Newport showed he still has what it takes — physically and mentally — by running to a record-breaking victory in the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge, followed immediately by taking on the Randonnee, totalling more than 200km.
Gary Marshall, 42, is no stranger to success in distance running events — winning his first-ever race, namely the Isle of Wight Marathon, in 2018.
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS
He went on to win it again last year, and has won the Needles Half Marathon and the St George's 10k, as well as finishing as first Islander in other marathons, half-marathons and long-distance events.
This year, Gary, of Staplers Road — a former Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment soldier — thought he would try to push his body and mind to new limits by taking on the 'Ultra' and the Isle of Wight Randonnee, back to back.
It is believed to be the first time the feat had been achieved.
The Ultra is an epic 106km course around the Island, and the Randonnee, a cycling challenge over two distances.
Gary plumped for the longer 100km ride, rather than the 55km, which he rode with his eldest daughter, Rosie, 12.
The Island-born dad-of-two said of signing up to do his first-ever Ultra and the Randonnee: "I thought, as a runner, to circumnavigate my Island continuously, has to be the ultimate run, to see what limits I could push myself too."
"As the Ultra approached, I was aware the Randonnee was the following day, so thought it would be a great feat to do back-to-back laps and enjoy riding the full course with Rosie, a keen cyclist."
Gary, a machinist at GKN, explained although it was originally a personal challenge for him doing both — believed to be the first of of its kind by an Islander — he decided to use the event to raise money to help fund young members of the Isle of Wight Triathlon Club take part in the Island Games in Guernsey in July.
He has a cash target of £300. To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gary-marshall-1?utm_term=mqX4EkMxy
He started the Ultra at 7am, then started the Randonnee at 7am the next day, with a course record and another trophy under his belt.
Gary finished well ahead of the rest — running at a good speed.
In fact, Gary was so fast during the early stages, he caught volunteers at the checkpoints on the hop — still setting them up.
"It was quite comical. I don't think event staff were expecting anyone through the checkpoints so early when I turned up," Gary joked.
"They were scrambling around for the scanners when they spotted me. Even gates weren't open at the half-way checkpoint, so I had to hop the fence, and the meal at the finish had to be cooked from scratch as they weren't expecting anyone so early!"
The Ultra was the longest race distance the Ryde Harrier had ever done — more than doubling the 32 miles he once ran.
"Although it was very tough mentally and physically, especially towards the end, I coped very well and felt strong throughout.
"Completing the challenge, with the support of friends and family throughout, meant the world to me — and to be able to share it with them made it very special.
"Winning and breaking the event record was an added bonus, to cap off an amazing day."
So, what challenge is next for Gary?
"I'm not sure. I'll allow the body time to recover, spend some quality time with the family and see what whets my appetite."
House Rules
We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
Read the rules here