Car supermarket boss from Peterborough set to run Ultra 100k for hospice charity

The boss of a Peterborough car supermarket chain is preparing to embark on his most gruelling challenge ever next week - an Ultra 100k run in aid of a local hospice charity.
Chris Northern prepares to run an Ultra 100K in aid of Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. EMN-201109-154720001Chris Northern prepares to run an Ultra 100K in aid of Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. EMN-201109-154720001
Chris Northern prepares to run an Ultra 100K in aid of Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. EMN-201109-154720001

Chris Northern is is Preparation Support Manager at the city’s car showroom and has been in training to run the Jurassic Coast Ultra 100k course on Friday September 18 as part of the company’s ongoing support for the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice – even though the official event has been cancelled until next year due to Covid-19.

The 37 year old hopes to raise over £2,500 for the hospice which cares for people over the age of 18 from in and around Peterborough who are living with a life-limiting condition.

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Chris, who recently took up running again after a serious motorbike accident forced him to hang up his trainers for a number of years, is aiming to complete the 100K along the iconic Dorset coastline with good friend and running wingman Dave Edis in less than 18 hours.

“I was absolutely gutted when they announced that the 2020 event was cancelled due to Covid-19,” explains Chris, who has worked for the used car retailer for one and a half years. “But I was determined to not let all of the training as well as the fund raising go to waste, especially as it’s for such a great cause, so Dave and I agreed to run the course together anyway.”

The Ultra 100K route, which takes in Portland Bill, West Bay’s famous cliffs, immortalised in the TV series ‘Broadchurch’, as well as the picturesque town of Bridport, will be the furthest either Chris or Dave have run to date. But neither of them are daunted by the challenge ahead.

“We’ve been spending most evenings as well as weekends getting ready for the big day,” said Chris. “It’s the furthest either of us has ever run but we’re in great shape and ready and raring to go. We’ve been absolutely overwhelmed with the support we’ve had from everyone at Motorpoint as well as the wider community in Peterborough. We can’t wait now for next week and the chance to pull on our Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice running tops on the day and head out to complete the 100K.”

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Nilesh Patel, Senior Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, commented: “We are extremely grateful to Chris and Dave for agreeing to run the Jurassic Coast Ultra 100k on behalf of the hospice. Everyone at the hospice shares their heartfelt thanks and wishes them all the best of luck in their mammoth challenge.

“We know times are tough for everybody at the moment, and with cancelled fundraising events and continuing additional costs for purchasing PPE for our doctors and nurses now, more than ever, we need the support of our local community so we can continue to be there when it matters.”

Nilesh said: “This is why Chris’ support means so much to us. The money he raises will really help make a difference to the support we provide to people over the age of 18 from in and around Peterborough living with a life-limiting condition.”

Motorpoint is a long-standing supporter of the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. Staff at the branch, which is based on Edgerly Drain Road in the city, have hosted a number of major fundraising events for the charity, including a drive in cinema last year.