With this year’s London Marathon marking the 10th anniversary of Jane’s first marathon & the beginning of her endurance challenge milestones in aid of the Jane Tomlinson Appeal the Tomlinson family have set themselves a ‘marathon’ challenge.

But why stop at just one marathon! Mike & Rebecca Tomlinson will take on an 8 day challenge completing Paris Marathon ahead of a 6 day cycle route to London ahead of the London Marathon via Hull and the Appeal’s home turf of Yorkshire.

Taking in the region’s key landmarks Mike & Rebecca will be joined by a team of cyclists as they take on the 100mile a day cycle route to the capital.

Following in the footsteps of Jane, who set the endurance bar high completing challenges such as the Florida Ironman in 2004 and a 2500mile bike ride across America in 2006, an endurance challenge was the only fitting way to mark the anniversary.

Prior to Jane’s death in 2007 she’d not only completed a number of endurance events but had raised an incredible £1.85million in the process. With £4million having now been raised to date its hoped that the team will not only take on the challenge to complete the mileage but to get a step closer to the charities next fundraising target of £5million.

Mike said: “I still struggle to comprehend the endurance feats Jane completed and the starting point was the 2002 London Marathon. The aim was to raise £5,000 and here we are 10 years and £4 million. More than the money Jane helped people change lives and to celebrate this we wanted to celebrate the anniversary in appropriate fashion. So it’s not a black knees up but a strength sapping endurance challenge so with a new tub of Chamois cream and the bike out of mothballs we’ll be testing body and spirit let’s hope Jane’s spirit see’s me through.”

With the Paris Marathon taking place on Sunday 15^th April there’s only 6 weeks to go till the challenge begins. Along the way the team will also be joined by a number of surprise guests taking part in the challenge. First of whom is to be announced later this week.

To donate: http://www.justgiving.com/anniversarychallenge

To read more about Chrissie and her amazing career visit www.chrissiewellingon.org

Read more in the Yorkshire Evening Post article here.

The intrepid ‘Webbed Feat’ team are aiming to complete a relay swim across the English Channel, you can sponsor them here www.justgiving.net/webbedfeat

The winner was Martin Hayes in 34 minutes 45 seconds and the first female was Harriet Canter in 38 minutes 58 seconds.

Among the thousands of runners who joined the start line in glorious sunshine were the Lord Mayor of Hull, Coun Karen Woods, Hull City keeper Matt Duke and Hull KR coach Justin Morgan.

The atmosphere in the city centre was electric, with huge crowds of spectators lining the route to cheer the runners on and it was great to see lots of runner’s wearing the new Jane Tomlinson Appeal running vests.

Read more at www.runforall.com

Among those who ran were a team of patients and staff from the children’s X-ray unit at Leeds General Infirmary. Money raised from the event for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal will help pay for the refurbishment of the children’s waiting area in the paediatric x-ray and ultra sound department at LGI.

Three-year-old Zoe Arnold from Methley took part in the Mini Fun Run with her parents Andrea and Jon. Zoe who has Down’s syndrome was born with a hole in heart and had open heart surgery at only three weeks old. Zoe and her family were fundraising for both the paediatric x-ray and ultra sound department and the children’s heart surgery ward at LGI.

To read more and view photos of the day, visit www.runforall.com

You can read more about the award and the amazing nominees here http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/motivation/jane-tomlinson-inspiration-award-shortlist-2010/5016.html

The challenge involved 3 teams of six celebrities/sporting personalities taking part in the 7 events hurdles, sprint, high jump, long jump, shotput, javelin and a team relay. Each team was captained by a BBC Look North presenter (Harry Gration lead out ‘Harry’s Heroes’, Tanya Arnold had ‘Tanya’s Titans’ and Paul Hudson was in charge of  ‘Hudson’s Shower’).

Becca was a part of the all-girl Tanya’s Titans (at least it was supposed to be all girls but Paulette Edwards had to pull out and Jonny Nelson took her place, becoming an honorary Titan for the day).

Becca was entered in the High Jump (probably not her natural forté) and the 200m. Unfortunately she didn’t manage to clear the first height at the high jump (although it was a little unfair as she was up against a field including Nick Robinson-Baker – an olympic diver and therefore quite bouncy, 6 foot-plus ice hockey legend Ron Shudra and GB volleyball player Rachel Newton – also, very tall). She fared far better in the 200m metres, coming 4th, although was possibly aided by Paul Hudson spectacularly falling over…twice.

It was a great day featuring a large and vociferous crowd and commentary by Jessica Ennis and highlights should be on BBC Look North, tonight (monday 22nd march) from 6.30pm.

“Loved it. makes the mighty boosh look like Terry and June!” Matt Lucas

“Watched it and really enjoyed it – sort of the Goons for a new generation.
Takes League of Gentlemen and Father Ted to their unnatural conclusion” Graham Norton

“a lo-fi joy to behold” Time Out

“as infectiously funny as an over stuffed owl. A full series please” Radio Times

Further details here: http://www.220triathlon.com/news/220-triathlon-awards-2010-winners