Orkney Man comes second in Athens 1000-mile race

6 APR2010

William Sichel, 56 from Sanday, Orkney, has come second in an ultimate endurance race in Greece.

Running in the 1000-mile World Cup race since March 15, the ultra distance runner completed the race in 13 days, 20 hours, eight minutes and one second, becoming the oldest British person to complete 1000 miles in less than 16 days.

Mr Sichel also set world age group records for six days, 1,000km and 1,000 miles as well as setting a personal best for distance covered in seven days. A time limit of 16 days was set for the race and of 16 entrants, only eight were able to complete the event within the time given.

Temperatures during the race reached highs of 30C and lows during the night of a more comfortable 10C. The runners experienced extreme winds in the last few days of the course, making the final stretch more demanding than anticipated.

Mr Sichel is delighted to have come second in the race, saying, "Completing the 1,000 miles was the greatest sporting achievement I have ever experienced - overwhelming."

The race was won by 54-year-old Wolfgang Schwerk, from Germany.