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Sally Greenland, one of our superstar fundraisers, ran an incredible 46 muddy miles around Bristol to support Marmalade Trust
Last summer Sally got inspired when she went on holiday with her sisters-in-law who, at the time, were preparing to row across the Atlantic. Spending time with these inspirational women motivated her to take on a challenge herself and what a challenge she chose! The Green Man Ultra Trail Run; a whopping 46 mile loop around the beautiful city of Bristol, following the Community Forest Path.
Competitors aim to get around the course in 12 hours. The race is run twice a year, once in the winter and again in the summer. Sally opted for the harder, muddy winter race with challenging but fun conditions. Sally absolutely smashed her goal and we couldn't be prouder:
"Well after over all the build-up (including over 700 miles of training runs) it’s done! 46 miles in 9 hrs 12 min, 4th lady and 52/155 overall. Rather proud of myself! Thank you to everyone who sponsored me and supported the wonderful Marmalade Trust."
Sally Greenland, Marmalade Trust fundraiser
Anybody who conquers the 46 mile Green Man Challenge around the Community Forest Path is termed a 'Woodwose', from the Old English wuduwāsa or wood-being, regardless of gender. Woodwose is the proper name for the wild men and wild women that haunted the imaginary forests of medieval Europe and is entirely appropriate for anyone mad enough to conquer the Community Forest Path. So well done to our brave Sally! It truly is a huge feat. Nevermind for a competitor that is not used to distance running, as we found out:
"It’s the first time I’ve ever committed to something I didn’t KNOW I could do. When I started training in the autumn, the furthest I’d run was an unofficial half marathon with some mates (and that was massively further than my previous longest race of 10k), so I was no distance runner!"
Sally in front of the Greenman in Ashton Court estate, which gives the race it's name
Sally’s journey in preparing for this event is one that could inspire us all. This is what she said about it:
“Preparing for this run and then doing it was a real journey and one I would recommend to anyone. Setting a stretching goal is daunting, but I committed to it by telling people on Facebook (harder to back out) and then set about building up my training. At the start I was used to running short distances (5k) as fast as I could, I was also used to road running (I was NOT a fan of mud). I worked out my rough training plan, stuck to it and then headed off on a journey of discovery. I gradually learnt to accept mud, love being outdoors and off-road, exploring parts of Bristol I had never been to and seeing a hill as an excuse to walk and eat rather than something to power up (which I used to hate!) Whatever your goal be it a crazy long run or couch to 5k – do it, you will feel so proud of yourself once you have and if you get sponsorship too, everyone wins!”
We are so thankful to Sally, our 'Woodwose', for her gargantuan effort and determination and for choosing to support Marmalade Trust. In Sally's words:
"I’ve chosen to support Marmalade Trust as loneliness is experienced by most people at some point in life but I was struck by a book I was reading at the point I was looking for a charity, which revealed the profound effect that [the Covid-19 Pandemic] lockdown had on people's mental health, much of which was made worse by loneliness. I’d heard about the work they [Marmalade Trust] do over Christmas before, but was not aware of their year-round support. I wanted something local and not too big so that the little bit I am able to contribute might make a real difference and the Marmalade Trust fitted perfectly."
To show your support to Sally and Marmalade Trust, you can donate online via Sally's Just Giving fundraising page
Marmalade Trust would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of our marvellous fundraisers. Every penny raised goes directly to the Marmalade Trust.
Funds are spent supporting those experiencing chronic loneliness in the Greater Bristol area via our Marmalade Companions programme and Christmas Cheer campaign, as well as our work to raise awareness and remove the stigma around loneliness across the UK with Marmalade Trust's Loneliness Awareness Week.