Runner stays awake to complete moors run

Ultra runner Neil Cloke is catching his breath after completing a 160-mile test of endurance across the Yorkshire Moors.

The IT worker of Imperial Way, Ashford, ran through the night across the rugged terrain, setting off from Scarborough and finishing at Filey, north Yorkshire.

Competitors have just 48 hours to complete the race, which involves 7,000 metres of ascent.

Mr Cloke, 43, was one of just 16 runners to cross the line – achieving sixth place with a time of 46 hours, 19 minutes.

The employee of Verifone, Ashford, said: “The biggest challenge during the race was keeping my mind occupied and staying awake.”

Mr Cloke only slept very briefly in a car being driven by a friend who acted as back- up, before resuming the run.

He added: “I like to set myself challenges and experience new things, and in July I will be taking part in the Ice Trail Tarentaise (ITT) in France.”

The ITT, reaches a high point of 3,653m and crosses five peaks.

In September he will join Smarden supergran Mimi Anderson as she captains the British team for the 153-mile Spartathlonrace in Greece.

The Spartathlon will involve 125 British athletes who must run from the Acropolis in Athens to the statue of King Leonidas in Sparta within 36 hours.

Participants also have to climb 3,900ft to reach the summit of Mount Parthenion.

Neil says that coping with the heat in Greece will be one of his biggest challenges for him to overcome.

The British team is looking for sponsorship and for more details email Paul Ali/Rob Pinnington at britishspartathlonteam@gmail.com

Neil Cloke from Ashford who has just completed the Hardmoors run