Talented teenage student Oshi Adey completes 100k track challenge for charity.

*Oshi Adey (*above) completed a gruelling 100k charity run in North Wales.

Talented teenage student Oshi Adey completes 100k track challenge for charity...

Report by Don Hale.

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk

 

A talented teenage student from Colwyn Bay raised thousands of pounds for charity last weekend by completing a gruelling 100k ultra-marathon challenge (62 miles) around the Eirias Park athletics track.

Oshi Adey, an eighteen-year-old student, who is currently at Warwick University, studying politics, philosophy, and economics, has since received numerous deserved plaudits, and earned huge respect from fellow members of the local running community for his brave and determined effort.

It was last Saturday morning at precisely 7am, that he first began his extraordinary fundraising challenge for the Kitchen Table Charities Trust (KTCT), which included running 250 laps of the track for nearly ten-hours and pushing him close to his mental and physical limits.

Fortunately, Oshi was well-supported all day by family, friends, and members of many local running groups, plus some individuals, who joined him at times for several laps around the 400m track and provided welcome support and encouragement.

His online Strava record confirms he ran a total of 100.05kms in 9 hours 58 minutes and 13 seconds. He used 7,369 calories at an average pace of 5.59.

*Oshi (*above far left), with representatives of several local running clubs.

The initial idea to fundraise for a very good cause probably came about following the example set by his grandfather, John Humphrys, the well-known journalist, and former BBC newscaster, foreign correspondent, Classic FM radio presenter, and ex-Mastermind host, who set-up the Kitchen Table Charities Trust (KTCT). 

This organisation provides grants to support tiny charities, or projects in dirt-poor villages, mostly in sub-Saharan African countries like Tanzania, and they also help to build and run schools and clinics and provide clean water.

*Pictured above left - Oshi Adey, at the start of his challenge, and (*right) his grandfather, and former BBC broadcaster John Humphrys.

Oshi decided to launch a GoFundMe page to tell everyone about his ambition to complete this 100k ultra-charity attempt, and set a limited target of just £2,000, confirming his age, and his plan to run this distance, which is the equivalent of 2.37 consecutive marathons around a 400m track in his hometown in North Wales.

And this week, at the time of writing, the page showed that £2,415 has been raised so far, with an extra bonus noted that his grandfather has also agreed to match the final sum with a private contribution. *Further donations however, remain very welcome, and this is the relevant link: https://gofund.me/f1e1c939

 

On his appeal page, he also posted a link to a unique video promoted by his grandfather, that illustrates the urgent need for financial support to this particular charity, and encourages everyone to watch this short video which explains what KTCT is about:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/HPEh1MMZgiE

 

Oshi however, remains very modest about his amazing fundraising efforts for this very deserving cause, and this week he told of his unique experience: “Having completed a marathon in my training, this ultra-run was comfortable up until the half-way point. I chose to complete the 100km around the athletics track at Eirias Park, at Colwyn Bay, to increase the mental side of the challenge. 

“The monotony of the 400m course however, started to take its toll on me about the 70km mark, where mentally I was feeling low, but having support from other runners including members of the Black Cloak Runners, the Gog Triathlon club, and many others, who all came down to support me, this made a massive difference. Having that bit of company, 100% helped me to keep going!

“People are surprised to hear that I didn’t follow a training plan, instead I train based on what feels right. I follow a plant-based diet, and that really helped me on the day, as there was a reduced likelihood of stomach issues.  

“I'd say the toughest part of this challenge was my mental strength rather than physical! And all in all, it was an incredible day. I'm happy with what I achieved.” And then he mischievously added: “Now this challenge is over, I’m looking for my next. I think a 100-miler is calling my name!”

*Oshi is pictured during his ultra-marathon challenge, and (*right) afterwards!

Oshi’s 100k ultra-run finally, and successfully ended about 5.30pm, and Helen Hannam, who is a friend and supporter of the young runner, said he sometimes ran clockwise for 10k, then turned around, and then ran anti-clockwise for another 10k, so that he wasn't going in the same direction all the time.

Helen also confirmed: “I ran 10k to help support his ultra-charity marathon. I didn't really do much only 2 x 5ks, but I think Oshi really appreciated the support. He ran 250 laps of the Erias track in 9 hours 58 minutes. 

“An amazing guy! He had many local runners supporting him throughout the day, and I ran with him, and a large group for the last 5k. He ran at a brilliant pace, and I couldn't keep up! 

“When he completed it, I told him; Wow, congratulations, and thanks for getting me a mile PB, which made him laugh, despite him just running 100k! What an amazing young man, I was in awe, and he thanked me for my support.”

*Oshi's Strava record is shown above left, with Helen Hannam.

Oshi’s mother Catherine Humphrys, explained that her son had only taken up running during the first period of lockdown as a way to help clear his head, and said, that although he always prefers to ‘run solo,’ sometimes he also attends the Conwy parkrun during home visits.”

And she proudly confirmed: “He has has raised £2,415 so far, and his grandfather – my dad – has pledged to match his donations. My father John Humphrys, set-up this charity after years of working in Africa as a foreign correspondent for the BBC. 

“It’s an incredible set-up because they have no paid staff, no offices etc, so 100% of the money raised goes directly to the people who need it. 

“Oshi's efforts will be able to fund something incredible and it will make a huge difference to the lives of great many people.”

And she added: “It was pretty tough watching Oshi put himself through such a gruelling challenge, but he has the most incredible determination, and I knew just how much completing this meant to him. I'm not sure there are enough words to express how proud I am of him, together with his dad Simon.”

 

*Further donations towards Oshi’s 100k ultra-marathon remain very welcome, and this is the relevant link: https://gofund.me/f1e1c939