A group of men from Man v Fat Football Carlisle have completed an extraordinary 48-mile walking challenge through harsh winter conditions, raising almost £16,000 for Sarcoma UK and a city family.
The challenge, 48 for 48, began at 1pm on Saturday, January 10 and finished at 5.11pm on Sunday, January 11, with the team walking continuously for 28 hours with no sleep.
Starting in the Lake District and finishing in Carlisle, the route covered over 10,000ft of elevation and took the men through freezing temperatures, ice, snow, heavy rain and gale-force winds.
Despite the conditions, 13 men set off at the start line, collectively clocking over a million steps on reaching the finish line.
Eight of the core team completed the full route across remote and steep Lake District fells, regularly without phone signal, navigating long night sections in pitch black conditions using only head torches to see the ground ahead.
The walk took place overnight through the coldest part of the weekend, with temperatures so low that the team’s satellite tracking equipment failed.
participants dealt with serious physical challenges along the way including a fractured ankle, torn hamstring, several severe blisters. One of them contracted trench foot and still managed to finish.
The challenge was organised in support of Laura Wiedman, the wife of Man v Fat Carlisle player Glen, who is currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy for a rare form of sarcoma.
Only around 48 people a year are diagnosed with this type of cancer, which inspired the challenge name, one mile for every case.
The full 48-mile finishers were Glen, Ben Snell, Dylan Smith, Phil Howe, Mike Schofield, Barry Cannon, Mike Vevers and Scott Whitehead.
Dylan, Man v Fat Carlisle head coach, said: “What makes the achievement particularly significant is that the team are not endurance athletes.
“Man v Fat Football supports men who are overweight to improve their physical and mental health through football and community. Many of those taking part joined the programme while overweight, unfit and lacking confidence.
“It is incredible to see ordinary men achieve something extraordinary.”
The challenge was announced on December 17, giving the team just four weeks to plan, prepare and train, while also raising a significant sum in a short space of time.
Barry said: “Several experienced mountaineers said it was ‘undoable’, that it couldn’t be done in winter, especially without proper training.
“What got people through was checking in on each other, slowing down, being honest when things hurt.
“We weren’t proving anything, we were just supporting each other. It showed how far people can go when they don’t feel like they’re doing it alone. The finish line was emotional for all of us.”
Glen added: “This walk was about showing Laura, and anyone in our community going through something hard, that they are not alone.
“The support from local businesses, friends, strangers and the wider community has been overwhelming. We’re incredibly grateful.”
Fundraising remains open until February 10, with all proceeds going directly to Sarcoma UK, a small charity that supports research, awareness and families affected by rare sarcomas.
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/page/48-for-48-cumbria.
