Page 91 - Light Dragoons 2022 CREST

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Sgt Cribbin Ultra Marathon
– 55 miles (Catterick to Newcastle)
For the last three years I have been planning new ways of rais- ing money for Cancer Research UK.
In 2019, I ran The Great North Run with my wife Pearl and in June 2020 ran ten miles a day for thirty days. I have been raising money for CRUK as this is a charity close to my heart, losing family and friends to this evil disease and last year a close friend LCpl Dean Ashworth (QOY).
In November 2020,I decided to run an ultra-marathon and the next step would be to plan the route. As I had just spent the last two years as a PSI with the QOY, I thought Fenham Barracks would be a fitting end to my journey.
I chose to run the event in July, I started my training properly in January giving myself 7 months of training to ensure I was not push- ing too hard and receiving injuries. January came around and time to burn off the Christmas pounds or shall I say stones, I was concentrating on getting the mileage in and finding what level I was at.
I had decided I would run the first ten miles on my own to ensure I got my pace right, then after I would have company from a member of the
troop. First to join me for the next 5 miles was Sgt Buck, a seasoned run- ner himself who would keep me in check every time I was speeding up; something which later punished me.
Fifteen miles in, after a quick water stop, I was on route once again, this time joined by Tpr Keaton. He stayed with me until I got to mile twenty. With a quick change of running part- ner, Tpr Davis became my new run- ning partner. Still feeling fine, but with niggling knee pain, I continued into Bishop Aukland (27 miles). One more water stop then accompanied by Tpr Newman-Martin, I continued into the Crook.
After arriving at my home in Crook, Co Durham (33 Mile point) I received well-deserved sandwiches from the wife, before setting off again with twenty-two miles to go the halfway fatigue was setting in fast. Accompanied now by LCpl Howlett, he kept me going for the next 7 miles.
By the forty mile point, it felt as though my legs and back wanted to give in, and my knees felt like they were falling off with all the impact. With determination and encourage- ment, I finally made it to Chester-Le- Street (47 Mile point), accompanied by Tpr Keaton.
For the last part, I was accompanied by Lt McDonald; late, as one would expect from a cavalry officer. 52 Miles in and heading through Gateshead I was in a world of pain, at this point, my legs began to cramp up badly.
As I arrived at the Tyne Bridge and St James’s Park in my sights, I felt a rush of energy when the troops decided to join me for the next mile or so. “Let’s go” I said, but halfway across the bridge the cramps returned once again, this time for around 5 minutes. Perhaps the worst 5 minutes of my life! Once the cramps subsided, we went on again up through Newcastle city centre and had yet another photo opportunity at the stadium.
As we all arrived at Fenham Barracks it felt great. I still cannot believe today that I managed it or how much
I had raised for such an excellent charity. The accomplishment was only achievable due to my support team and family encouraging me throughout my journey. By the end of the Ultra, I had managed to raise £2,202 and after a couple of weeks it ended up being £2,889. Over the last three years I have managed to raise over £9,000 for CRUK. There will be more to come in 2022!
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