On Saturday 16^th and Tuesday 19^th April Ben Smith of the 401 Challenge will be running marathons in Storrington and would love as many people as possible to run some of the route with him.

Ben is aiming to run 401 marathons on 401 consecutive days all around the UK in order to not only break a record but also to raise £250,000 for charities Kidscape and Stonewall. By the time he gets to Storrington he will be on marathon numbers 229 and 232, having started last September.

You do not have to run far or fast! Ben welcomes everyone to run him; you can join him for a mile, 26.2 miles or anything in between. He runs at about 11 minute mile pace which, if you have any experience of running is a gentle pace. He stops regularly for breaks and refreshments too.

He will be setting off from Chanctonbury Leisure Centre car park at 10am on both mornings. He will be doing a 13.1 mile route twice, around Storrington, along the bottom of the Downs, through Parham to Amberley and back to the Leisure Centre.  As part of the Tuesday run he will be going to Rydon and Storrington First School to run with the children.

Ben also welcomes non-running support too. He is living in a mobile home while he completes this challenge so if you could offer him a cooked meal or a load of washing doing then that would be great too!

If you would like to find out more, all the details of Ben’s challenge and how to donate are on his website –http://www.the401challenge.co.uk If you would like to find out more about what he will be doing in Storrington and the exact route then please contact Michelle Green – michellegreen@southdownsfitness.co.uk

By the end of Tuesday 19th April Ben will have run a total of 232 consecutive marathons. This amounts to 6,078 miles which is the current distance from Bristol, UK (Ben’s start location) to Bangkok, Thailand (if Ben could run across water!). Ben has already broken the Guinness World Record for most marathons run in most consecutive days, the male record currently stands at 52 however we will be submitting our evidence for 401 marathons at the end of the challenge. Ben has participated in 3 official marathons but will complete a total of 11, including the London marathon by the end of this project.  Since September 1st 2015 ben has ran his way through 10 pairs of running shoes.

We have currently raise just £38,000 for our two chosen Anti-Bullying charities Kidscape and Stonewall via our Virgin Money Giving fundraising page. We have also launched an online store that provides technical running wear  for adults and Anti Bullying T-shirts consisting of motivations messages for children.  

Part of this challenge is to raise awareness of the shocking effects bullying can have on an individual. Ben has already visited a number of education establishment to deliver motivational talks to young people about his experience of bullying and why he has decided to embark on this mammoth challenge. 

Ben has also been recognised for his education outreach work and has been awarded both the Braveheart and Public Choice awards from North Somerset Mercury Heroes Awards, 2015. Ben was also shortlisted for the #GivingTuesday Charity Champion and Fundraiser of the year from the Charity Staff Awards (Winners will be announced on March 4th)

Ahead of performing at the Duck Race, Gatling Camel are pleased to announce an exclusive gig at The Anchor on Saturday 10th May….show your support for two school Dads and their desire to rock….. 

GATLING CAMEL – Rapid Fire Rock, Blues, Reggae & Soul that won’t give you the hump

Gatling Camel combines the groove of classic soul with rythmn and blues (Redding rather than Rihanna) and the fire of rock from Cream to 90’s classics.

Have you bought your DUCKS yet…..if not here’s when and where you can choose your runners and riders: Ducks will be available at;

Mansell McTaggerts from now until  Saturday 10th May

outside Waitrose Saturday 3rd May 10am – 12pm

Place Villerest 9.30 – 11.30 Friday 9th May

Only £1 a DUCK….

Storrington Duck Race has evolved from just 200 ducks in a stream to an annual event which involves community and commercial stalls alongside funfair rides and a car boot sale.

The event is co-ordinated by the Friends of Storrington First School, a registered charity. and really grows each year. All profits made by the school go directly to promoting a rewarding environment for the pupils.

A team of Mums and dads also run side stalls such as Name a Duck, Hook a Duck and a BBQ with locally sourced Burgers and Sausages.

And of course, don’t forget the ducks. 2,000 ducks are sold at £1 each and our volunteers herd them down the stream in 5 races.The last race, a final is always exciting and cash prizes are rewarded.

This event would not happen without the support of the school, parent helpers and local businesses and organisations, all contributing to it’s success.

Let’s hope it continues for many more years to come.

Here are some pictures from the event held in 2013. Enjoy!

If you are looking for a “quackingly” good, fun-filled family day out this May, Storrington Village Duck Race promises a great range of entertainment for all the family from funfair rides and fantastic food to face-painting and ‘hook a duck’.

Recognised throughout the county as one of the most entertaining and action packed days in the Storrington social calendar, join us from midday on Sunday 11th May at Riverside Walk and Library Car Park to race ducks and raise money for The Friends of Storrington First School.

There will be the regular hotly contested 6 Duck Races, the top ten placed ducks from each of the first 5 races being entered into the final race of the day. Ducks for each race can be bought in advance or on the day from the many volunteers. Cash prizes are on offer for the winning ducks.

To add to the fun, there will be a BBQ, ice-cream and candy floss, funfair rides, face painting, traditional coconut shy, ‘bat the rat’ and a huge range of local craft and artisan stalls including Storrington in Bloom.

All proceeds from the Duck Race will go to Storrington First School.

DO YOU WANT TO TAKE PART?

STALLS – we are now taking bookings for stalls in our craft area.

Stalls are allocated on a first come first serve basis @ £20 per pitch.

ACTIVITIES – if you wish to run an activity such as bracelet making or plant pot painting for a charge, assuming all the takings are donated to the school, we can offer a free pitch with plenty of opportunity to promote your business and brand.

ENTERTAINMENT – we offer pitches, first come first serve, on a profit share business but we can only accommodate one coffee stall, one ice-cream van etc so book early.

Use the form below to contact FOSS.