By Rachael Grealish

Over 410 miles and £7,000 later the Egremont Rangers completed their challenge to run the distance of heading to West Hull and back.

Travelling to West Hull on an away day is quite the journey for Egremont Rangers, but with grassroots sport on hold due to COVID-19 it hasn’t happened so the team decided to run the 410 mile round-trip instead in order to raise money for the club.

On Saturday, February 20, and after only nine days of organisation, 102 people took part in the challenge covering over 652 miles, locally, around Egremont and its surrounding areas and, in total, raised over £7,000.

Talking to The Herdwick News Mark Chorley explained the idea came from the idea to ‘provide the players a focus during lockdown’ along with raising money for both the club and Egremont Town COVID Response team.

He said: “The idea was conceived to supplement the remote training programme the Open Age players are currently working to and to provide the players a ‘focus’ during lockdown and whilst not being able to group train. 

All lockdown restrictions were adhered to for the challenge as all Open Age players and Club Staff and supporters set off from Gillfoot Park in pairs, 15 minutes apart on different routes around the Egremont.

“Each pair had a starting time slot and a predetermined route which worked brilliantly on the day in awful wet and windy conditions,” Mark said. 

The whole event was organised and completed in just nine days and all the funds raised will be shared equally between Egremont Rangers and the Egremont Town COVID Response Team.

The response team helps the vulnerable and needy in these difficult times. 

Mark finished by saying: “Egremont Rangers Rugby League Club are a big part of the Town and are proud of their work in the Community helping those who need it most. 

“The Club would like to thank all those who participated in making the day such a huge success, to all who donated and to all the Open Age players who easily surpassed the mileage target of 410 miles raising in excess of £6500. Well done to all concerned.”