Orkney-based ultra marathon runner, William Sichel will be taking part in the World 6 Day Trophy which starts in Balatonfured in Western Hungary on Wednesday May 6th at mid-day and finishes at mid-day on Tuesday May 12th.
A huge field of over 80 athletes from around the world will toe the line in this, the 5th running of this event. William was the winner of the inaugural race, in 2011, before it was designated a World Trophy race. William also competed in 2013, taking 5th place that year.
“I’m really looking forward to returning again to Balaton as it is such a great event, well organised and a lovely, 900 metre lap course, in a holiday park, on the shores of Lake Balaton. The entry list this year is phenomenal and it’s sure to be a great race.”
The international flavour of this year’s race is reflected by the fact that 22 nations will be represented and the organisers claim that this will be the biggest and most international field ever assembled for a 6 day race.
William, who set the current British road 6 Day record of 518.34 miles on this course in 2011, has the third highest personal best distance from all the entrants with his 532.56 miles set in Germany in 2008.
Leading the field is America’s Joe Fejes who has a personal best of 578 miles (933.902 km) set in Alaska last year and also taking part are Hans-Jürgen Schlotter from Germany and Keith Eoin from Ireland.
In the womens field, Charlotte Vasarhelyi and Silke Gielen return after posting second and third best in the world performances last here at this event. Sarah Barnett, currently leading the Self-Transcendence 10 day race will be seeking to maintain her current form. Sumie Inagaki the world indoor 24 hour and Track 48 hour world records will be making her debut at the 6 day distance
William is grateful for crew support from Alan Young and Wendy Edwards and his blog will carry regular updates through out the race:
William hopes to high-light the benefits of exercise for the over 60s as well as raise money for the CLAN cancer support charity, with over £10,000 having been raised by William and those involved in the “Challenge William” project. William’s dedicated web page can be found here: http://www.justgiving.com/William-Sichel
It’s forget too quickly the “6 jours de France” which this year will present a competition with a minimum of 140 runners at the start of the 6 days and with more than 20 nations present.
http://www.6jours-de-france.fr/
Congratulations Sarah on your 10day win. Once again, a terrific performance.
Good luck for the EMU race.
Much love from all of us at home.