Over three gruelling months, Guy Smith of Holmes Lodge embarked on an extraordinary test of endurance, taking on three ultramarathon challenges to raise funds for Teddies for Loving Care (TLC). Through harsh conditions, physical exhaustion, and intense determination, Guy pushed himself to the limit, raising an impressive £2,700 for the charity. His journey was filled with setbacks and triumphs, each race testing his resilience more than the last.
The West Highland Way Challenge – 96 Miles of Unforgiving Terrain
The first challenge in May was the West Highland Way, a 96-mile ultramarathon across rugged Scottish landscapes to be completed within 36 hours. From the start, Guy faced unexpected obstacles, including a near disqualification due to unclear spectator parking rules and a misdirection from officials that cost him an hour of valuable time. Despite these frustrations, Guy pushed through the relentless hills and unforgiving terrain, finishing in just over 29 hours—an outstanding achievement for such a tough course.
“This was an epic achievement,” Guy said. “The course had relentless hills and unforgiving terrain, but I was determined to finish.”
The Wall – 70 Miles of Rain and Pain
In June, Guy tackled The Wall, a 70-mile race from Carlisle Castle to the Millennium Bridge in Gateshead, closely following the path of Hadrian’s Wall. From the very beginning, the weather was unforgiving, with relentless rain soaking runners from start to finish. Already feeling the aftereffects of his previous ultramarathon, Guy soon realised this race was going to be an uphill battle—both literally and figuratively.
“Everything hurt, even my eyelashes,” Guy recalled, reflecting on how physically drained he felt from the start. Each step was a painful reminder of his last challenge, and it became clear that finishing within the 24-hour cut-off would be a monumental effort. Nevertheless, Guy’s determination saw him through, and he finished in 22 hours and 12 minutes, soaked, exhausted, but victorious.
Ultra North Marathon – 35 Miles of Sheer Willpower
The final race in July was the Ultra North Marathon, a 35-mile loop starting and ending at the Swing Bridge in Newcastle. The route took Guy through Wylam, Swalwell, and Chopwell Woods, with yet another day of rain to contend with. Still recovering from the previous two ultramarathons, Guy’s legs were far from their best, and he knew a fast time was unlikely.
“My legs weren’t up to full strength,” he admitted. “To get around in one piece was my only mission.” Despite the difficult conditions, Guy completed the race in 8 hours and 23 minutes, well below the cut-off time, earning himself a well-deserved pint at the finish line.
A Remarkable Fundraising Achievement for TLC
Through sheer grit and determination, Guy completed all three ultramarathons and raised £2,700 for Teddies for Loving Care (TLC), a charity that provides comforting teddy bears to children in hospitals. The support he received along the way kept him motivated, even when his body was telling him to stop.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their support and kind donations,” Guy said. “Without everyone’s encouragement, it would have been easy to just stop and go home.”
What’s Next?
Though these three ultramarathons were a major achievement, Guy Smith isn’t done yet. With more challenges on the horizon for next year, he is determined to keep pushing the limits, all in the name of charity and the Freemason spirit of giving.
