HMS Raleigh Warrant Officer First Class Stephen Scarratt will take part in his first ultramarathon this month, running 36 miles across Dartmoor for charity.
Stephen, who runs the damage control/sea survival school at the Torpoint establishment, is taking on the Dartmoor Crossing ultramarathon on Saturday 14 August to raise money for Breast Cancer Now.
He was spurred to help the charity after his wife Teresa was diagnosed with the disease earlier this year. She subsequently underwent surgery in March and is now making a good recovery.
The run starts at Belston, on the northern edge of Dartmoor, and will take runners through Postbridge, Hexworthy and Princetown towards the finishing line in Ivybridge.
It’s by far the longest distance the 40-year-old from Plymouth has attempted after taking up running four years ago.
Competitors have 10½ hours to complete the distance and must carry a first-aid pack, survival bag, waterproofs, spare top and sufficient food and water, weighing in at around 6kg.
“The terrain is tough,” says Stephen, who hopes to finish in eight hours. “The first part is across the northern moor, which is all high and has a lot of bogs. The middle section is woods and then it’s back on the open moor again and trails.
“It’s quite a mixed bag, but I’ve done a lot of training up there. I think I should be alright, it’s just the mind games and digging in for the last ten miles. When they say you can experience all four seasons on Dartmoor in a day, I’ve been out there and done that during my training.”
He had hoped to raise £200… but is already beyond £700. If anyone wishes to support him, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stephen-scarratt-dartmoor-ultramarathon
