BRADFORD TELEGRAPH AND ARGUS

Thursday 21 August 2008

Chris is an ultra man
By Rachel O'Connor

Chris Carver, of Otley, is certainly a name to look out for over the next few years in running circles. Well, he would be if his event were on the Olympic programme. He is an ultra distance runner and competes in races longer than a standard marathon.
In 2009 there is going to be, for the first time ever, a Commonwealth Championship for ultra distance races. The two races (100 km and 24 hours) will be held in Keswick in the Lake District.
At present Chris is ranked number one in the UK for 24 hour races but the qualification criteria has been set at 225 km (139.8 miles) whereas his best is 221 km (137.7 miles) so he needs to improve a bit yet to ensure selection - and this is where sponsorship would help.
His main expenses are three-fold: travel and hotel expenses; race entry fees; sports drinks and nutrition.
Chris said: "If a local business were to cover, for example, the cost of my travel and/or accommodation expenses it would make things much easier to get to races in mainland Europe. This is necessary because at present there are only two 24 hour races in the UK and three 100 km races, in the rest of Europe there are at least 40 of each.
"During a 24 hour race I would normally drink over 12 litres of isotonic sports drink and then there is all the liquid Ie consume while training (a 40 mile training run is not uncommon) and recovery drinks afterwards. Again, the cost of this is not negligible.
"Last year, for a 24 hour race in Hull I camped on the grass infield, for another in London I went down on the day of the race and came straight back home afterwards. For a 50 mile cross-country race in Rotherham I slept on the floor of the sports centre which was the race HQ.
"I could do so much better racing after a decent night's sleep in a proper bed," said Chris.
In return for a sponsor's patronage he would gladly wear their logo/name on his kit during every race he takes part in. He would also put their logo and weblink on his website and be willing to make himself available for any promotional work/advertising they may require.
Success, although not guaranteed, could lead to lots of press coverage.
His website address is thoughtsofanultrarunner.blogspot.com At present The Divan Centre, a shop on Eastgate, Leeds owned by fellow runner Carl Walsh, is his sole sponsor and he is more than grateful for the help he has provided this year with some travel and hotel costs.
His priority for the next six months is seeking qualification for the Commonwealth Championships and his next attempt will come at a 24 hour race at Tooting Bec in London on October 18/19.
The 24 hour event (covering the greatest distance possible in 24 hours) is one of the oldest established athletic events.
The first recognised 24 hour race took place on the Newmarket to London Turnpike, England in 1806.
The 24 hour race is now the longest annual world title event endorsed by the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) and recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

This also appeared in the Wharfedale and Airedale Observer on Thursday 21 August 2008.