Steyning Athletic Club Go Big, Then Go Home...

Local Steyning AC members have been representing our town, and our country, at a number of big (and by ‘big’, I mean ‘seriously long’) events this summer. The club caters for members of all levels – from beginners to those representing GB. This summer has seen a good number of local members taking on some quite absurd endurance events in swimming, cycling and running.

Race to the Kings: Ultra Marathon: Steyning AC are not all about swimming – this 53.4 mile is run from Arundel to Winchester along the hills of the South Downs.

Long Course Weekend: Some members have also added cycling into the mix. Lydia (our run captain) and Dave completed the ‘Long Course Weekend’ in Wales. Over three consecutive days they swam 2.4 miles, cycled 112 miles, and on the final day ran a marathon (26.2 miles).

Channel swim: Sarah became the most recent Steyning AC member to swim from England to France this July. She started from Samphire Hoe beach (near Dover) at 1:30 and landed near to ‘The Cap’ headland a mere 11 hours and 33 minutes later.

The crossing is a minimum of 21 miles and, in reality, much further due to movement from currents. On her crossing, Sarah was slightly delayed by giant tankers sneaking up on her, and a sick crewman being airlifted from her support boat in the early hours.

Lawrence (our swim captain) was in that small support boat to France, supplying food and positive vibes for Sarah along the way. A few weeks later he completed his own gruelling swim – crossing the 8 miles of Lake Geneva.

Scilly Isles Ottillo swim/run: Moyra (our multi-sport captain), Sue and Matt completed this unique event, where competitors swim between, and then run across, multiple islands.There are a total of 9 separate swims and runs, with a combined total distance of around 23 miles.

Jurassic Coast Ultra: Members Anthony and Camilla completed the 100km (62 mile) run along the spectacular Jurassic Coast. The World Heritage Site takes a runner from a start at Poole Harbour, past Corfe Castle, Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Weymouth, Portland Bill, Chesil Beach, West Bay's cliffs (of TV's Broadchurch), before a finish line celebration in Bridport.