Man to run 160-mile endurance race for charity

A man is beginning 2026 by taking part in a non-stop endurance race for a cause close to his heart.

Carl Matthews, 61, from Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, will attempt the Montane Winter Spine Challenger North on 11 January - a 160-mile race starting in Hardraw, North Yorkshire, and ending in the Scottish Borders.

He will have 108 hours to finish, and will carry all of his equipment with him on the course, which has elevations of more than 15,000ft (4,572m).

Fundraising for the MND Association, he said: "I'll be running for my sister's best friend Sue who I've known since I was 15. She was diagnosed with MND last year," he said.

"Taking part in this challenge is really important to me.

"Sadly, she has deteriorated very quickly," he said, adding her diagnosis had "deeply affected" him.

"I want to do my bit to help fight back against this devastating disease, and to help raise money to fund research into MND - and she has given me her blessing to do that," he added.

As well as carrying all his equipment, Mr Matthews will also have to contend with a lack of daylight.

"There is a lot of trepidation to be honest and I'm sure there will be a lot of nervous tension before the event," he said.

"[About] 60% of the challenge will be done in the dark, but it will be a case of taking one step at a time."

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