Latest news with #endurance race
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Race pitting runners v horses over 23 miles returns to Quantocks
Runners looking for something a little different this autumn have been invited to try racing a horse for 23 miles through the countryside. The gruelling Man v Horse endurance race is returning to Somerset's Quantock Hills for the second time in unusual event, which was first held more than 40 years ago in Powys, Wales, sees runners given a head start of only 15 minutes."Like all great ideas, it was hatched in a pub," joked Philip King, one of the organisers. Mr King told BBC Radio Somerset the "challenging but incredible" race was "definitely a spectator sport". "One thing that really makes the event are our volunteers and the people who come along to support and spectate," he said. "Frankly, if you are running or riding and you've got that adrenaline going, there's nothing better than having people cheer you on." Beating a horse over 23 miles might seem like a long shot but over the course of the race's history, four runners have done just that, while the first race held in Somerset 2023 saw a tie. This year's event will raise money for Project Pegasus – a therapy programme centred around horses for children and young people in Somerset who have been affected by drug and alcohol use in their family. The programme is run by Equi-Librium Coaching and Therapy, which was co-founded by Mr King, a child therapist."Very often traditional therapy isn't for [these children]," he said."But being outside, in the outdoors – in the forest, working in the field with a horse – they can start to rebuild trust and connection and learn what it is to have positive relationships when they've had such hard times."The race, he added, "is all about hopefulness and joy".
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Michigan ultra runner collapses and dies three hours into race
A Michigan ultrarunner collapsed and died on a high mountain trail just three hours into an 102.5-mile endurance race in the Colorado Mountains. Elaine Stypula, 60, passed away on Friday amid during the Hardrock 100, according to a San Juan County Sheriff's Office press release. The family law attorney passed out near Gold Lake on the Little Giant Trail at around 9am. The Hardrock 100 Safety Sweep Team members attempted CPR on the runner. Deputies, Silverton Medical Rescue and a Flight for Life helicopter team responded to the scene and took over resuscitation efforts. The medical rescue team hiked a 1/4 mile up a 'steep, rugged, remote trail' on the trail to reach the her. Stypula was pronounced dead at 10.27am, according to the release. Her cause of death remains unclear. Her daughter, Anna, wrote on Instagram: 'I struggle to post this as I am a wreck. My beautiful, vibrant mom unexpectedly passed away this morning. I am at a loss for words.' 'She was so happy to be racing with Jeremy and I here and honestly we don't know what happened,' she wrote alongside her mom's 'favorite photo.' Her daughter described her mom as 'her best friend.' Stypula was said to have been a 'highly experience ultra-runner' who had competed in more than 100 ultra-distance events, Gear Junkie reported. 'Silverton Medical Rescue is fortunate to have a team of skilled rescue professionals. We support the community, our visitors and each other even on the most difficult calls,' said Michael Burton, Incident Commander of the SAR call for Silverton Medical Rescue. The intense event kicked off at 6am on Friday, where competitors are given two days to complete the course through Lake City, Ouray, Telluride and Ophir before returning to Silverton. According to the Hardrock 100 website, the total elevation change sits at 66,394 feet. The highest point of the course being the Handies Peak summit at 14,048 feet. 'The Hardrock 100 Endurance Race has been exceptional in organization and safety throughout the years and an excellent partner to our community,' said Tyler George Director of the Silverton Medical Rescue. Event organizers wrote in a statement: 'We are deeply saddened to share that a beloved member of our Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run family has passed away during this year's event. 'Our hearts are with their family, friends, and fellow runners as we grieve this tremendous loss. 'We are committed to caring for runners, crews, volunteers, and all members of our community through the event's duration and beyond.' The Hardrock 100 organizers said more information would be available following the completion of the race on Sunday. 'I want to extend my condolences to the family, friends and community of Elaine Stypula,'said Keri Metzler of the San Juan County Coroner's Office in an updated release.
