Dear Mich, Andrew, Julian, Brendan, Mark, Laurence, Russell, Andy, Peter and Nicole,
On behalf of all Canalrace Volunteers, may I offer sincere congratulations on your completion of the 2021 Canalslam. Throughout last season, all the events were constantly under threat of cancellation through pandemic restrictions, making them especially difficult to commit to, and train for. This, on top of the mental and physical fortitude already necessary to finish each individual race, makes your achievement even more remarkable.
TV coverage over the last twelve months has featured many instances of people undertaking “amazing, fantastic, unbelievable” challenges for charity. Whilst I in no way intend to denigrate these achievements, or the good they do, many of those “challenges”, although seemingly incredible to the general public, were somewhat ordinary among the ultra-running community. In our field, having the dogged determination to cover an enormous distance, with scant reward other than the admiration of your peers, is the expected norm. However, to do this on three specific occasions in less than four months is, as I hope you too can appreciate, truly exceptional.
Those of us who attend the events as non-competitors, although perhaps not always enjoying some of the scenes witnessed along the way – or indeed at the Finish – always take immense pleasure from seeing runners reach their goal. Again on behalf of all the Volunteers, may I thank you for making our participation so much more rewarding.
Yours Sincerely,
Dick Kearn.
