Andy & David's 50km Ultramarathon Diary
It all started over a year ago when Andy and David signed up for the Run To The Sea 50km Ultramarathon in support of local charity Esteem. Training was on track, spirits were high, and the fundraising had started. They hit their first target of £1,000 pretty early on and decided to raise the bar to £2,000, which they were close to reaching.
Race Day: 6:00 AM
Up early, bellies still full from the carb loading the night before. The nerves really kicked in when they arrived at Christs Hospital School in Horsham around 7:30 AM for check-in. It suddenly felt very real. With temperatures creeping up to 20°C, they knew this was going to be tough.
The Start Line
At just after 8:00 AM, they were off in the first wave. The early miles were surprisingly enjoyable. The countryside views were stunning, the terrain was kind, and the atmosphere was friendly. We chatted with other runners and soaked up the positive energy.
Support That Powered Us
As we passed through Steyning, we got our first morale boost, MD Tim Crossfield was there clapping us on. Then, at the halfway point in Upper Beeding, Shoreham Director Nick Williams popped up to cheer us through.
Then Came The Downs
Halfway in and Andy’s hip pain kicked in, but they kept pushing forward. Then the terrain changed as they hit The Downs, and that’s where things got real, the hills were relentless. As the clock ticked past midday, the heat started to hit hard. David had seriously underestimated The Downs, despite Andy warning him!! They were brutal, the ascents were punishing and the descents didn’t offer much relief, just rattled bones!
False Hope & Low Points
Passing Devil’s Dyke felt like a rush of false hope, it was near home, so surely they were nearly there? But the route veered off toward Pyecombe, and this became a real low point. They struggled around the back of the golf course and across the ridge, their pace slowed, every step hurt.
Hanging On at Waterhall
As they dragged themselves toward Waterhall it finally felt like the sea was close. The pain was excruciating by now, it was no longer about running, it was about survival, just putting one foot in front of the other.
The Final Push
Then a moment David will never forget. As they emerged from the woods at the top of Waterhall, they heard cheering, people calling their names and there was Captain Welsh! That was a real lift. Down Woodland Drive, into Hove Park, more familiar faces, Matt, Sam & Fin with more cheers. The final stretch down The Drive felt endless. But just before Church Road, David's daughter Ivy and wife Kate jumped out to greet the broken boys. That was it, all they needed for the final push to the finish line.
Finish Line: Hove Lawns
They made it. As they approached the finish, they heard the announcer:
“Here come David and Andy — give them a big cheer!”
And just like that, they crossed the line. Broken. Exhausted. Proud.
The Results
50km, over 6 hours of running, hiking and crawling! More donations came in during the race, and they officially smashed their £2,000 target for Esteem. That money is going directly toward helping them in their mission to save their home.
Reflecting on it, David said:
"That was a horrendous challenge. We seriously underestimated how tough it would be. It wasn’t just a run, it was a half marathon, followed by another half marathon of hiking, then a few more miles of sheer willpower."
Andy added:
"We couldn’t have done it without the incredible support from our friends, family, and colleagues. Thank you all so much."
What’s Next?
Our work for Esteem isn’t done.
Oakley are proud to be the main sponsor for the upcoming Race For Change event hosted by River Oaks Homes. And if 50km wasn’t enough, David will be taking on a 109km Palace to Pier hike this June.
More details coming soon — watch this space!