Victory Athletic Club run 26 miles for the Hayling Island RNLI Lifeboats
Back in August, 48 Victory Athletic Club runners ran in the annual relay race round Hayling and raised £350 for the Hayling RNLI Lifeboat Station.
The runners are picked from a hat to form 12 teams of 4 with an equal mix of men and women. Each team runs a marathon (26 miles) with each team member running 3 of the legs which vary in distance but give each runner roughly 6.25 miles to run in total. Runners are handicapped based on recent previous form and this quite complex arrangement is organised by John Gallagher.
The relay starts and ends in North Hayling and loops off the Island and back, down to the western tip, then along the seafront to Eastoke and past the RNLI Station. Runners then weave their way back home to Northney. Each team uses a car to ferry runners to the next change-over point and the club see this as a social event raising funds for charity.
Peter Harding (pictured) presented the cheque to crew members Jack Anson and Lexi Oatley. John Gallagher said’ We are delighted to support the RNLI and to continue this Hayling Relay which has now run for 15 years raising over £6000.’ Station Operations Manager Jonathan Bradbury said 'We are so grateful for this donation which will help to fund the life saving work of our volunteer crews.'
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.