Lorna Gleave and Sammy Bowden were joint winners of this year’s Parish Walk Women’s Race, crossing the finish line hand in hand after 17 hours, 21 minutes and eight seconds.
The duo shared the victory in dramatic fashion, finishing together at the end of the gruelling 85-mile course.
Speaking after the race, Gleave said: “It was enjoyable. It was good. It was nice to have company the full way round, and it was nice to work together and help each other through the tough bits, and enjoy the good times together.”
Bowden added: “We just fell into the same stride, and we said had we trained together, we actually couldn’t have planned it any better. So, it’s gone in both of our favours today.”
The pair endured difficult conditions throughout the day, with Gleave describing it as “very hot” particularly in the northern section of the course.
Bowden explained the heat affected their ability to eat, saying: “It’s definitely spells where we couldn’t face any food, because it was just too hot.”
Gleave admitted she had been hoping for a sub-17 hour finish but was satisfied given the conditions: “With the conditions of the day. I am happy. I was hoping for a sub 17, but up north there was just no way. I’m more than happy with the how the day has gone.”
Bowden confirmed the time mattered less than the manner of their victory: “I think we were probably more pleased as well to cross the line together rather than focus on a time.”