Volunteers unite to host axed ultramarathon

Runners Chris Parr, Paul Baxter, Eva Kriki and Behzaad Ghouse said the coast-to-coast ultramarathon was a "beautiful experience" [Eva Kriki] Volunteers worked "around the clock" to put on a coast-to-coast ultramarathon after the original race was axed. Runners expressed dismay after the Northern Traverse - a 186-mile (300km) route from St Bees, in Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay in Yorkshire - was among several races cancelled after events company Ourea stopped trading in March. In response, runners Kitty-Leigh Oxley and David Keane "ignited a massive response from volunteers" and "turned the impossible into reality" to get 72 athletes runners over the start line last Saturday.

Oxley said the pair were inspired to make fellow runners "feel like rock stars and to help them finish what they started". Ourea Events said all of its races were impacted, which included the Northern Traverse, Lakes Traverse, Dales Traverse and Moors Traverse, and the firm had operated at a loss since the pandemic. The BBC previously contacted Ourea for a response, but a statement from the firm said trying to continue risked "increasing the overall debt owed to creditors, participants and suppliers".

David Keane and Kitty-Leigh Oxley set up the Community Traverse in two weeks [The Community Traverse] Oxley, 38, and Keane, 30, were "total strangers who came with together with a shared vision" and set up the Community Traverse to ensure runners "who otherwise had nothing" could take part in the race, Oxley said. "People would have continued on with the race regardless - they invest a lot of money and time in it," Oxley said, adding: "Our main priority was provide a safety net, which would include safe haven, provision and support. "As it grew, sponsors saw what we were doing and believed in us, which meant we were able to provide above and beyond what was originally expected.

" The coast-to-coast finish tradition involves throwing a pebble taken from St Bees into the sea at the end in Yorkshire [Eva Kriki] Oxley said sponsors and volunteers "stepped forward with phenomenal effort" with helping with bag drops and tracking which helped facilitate the event. "I'm especially proud to have seen an inclusive environment that feels balanced and healthy," the co-organiser added. The Community Traverse did not charge runners, but people contributed on a voluntary basis which involved bringing baked treats and cooking hot food.