Barford man completes 24-hour running event in aid of new community centre

A man from Barford has completed at 24-hour running event in aid of a new community centre.

Last weekend Tomas Elek, 44, took on the challenge 'Endure 24' and aimed to run 100 miles in 24 hours by repeatedly running between Barford and Warwick.

The run was in aid of a new, much-needed youth and community centre in the village, which will replace the dilapidated scout hut.

The new building will host a baby and toddler group, a community cafe, lots of hobby groups, the various youth organisations, church activities, village meetings and will provide the much-needed meeting capacity for the village's activities.

The project is likely to cost £600,000 and, if funds can be raised, will start on site in 2021.

Tomas initially signed up to the Endure 24 event but the race was cancelled and turned into a virtual event.

He said: "The concept stayed the same, we tried to run as many miles as we could (or wanted) within 24 hours, meanwhile the Endure 24 guys kept us connected in a Facebook chat room.

"The race had to start at 12pm and the following five to six hours were the most challenging for me, even though the legs were still fresh.

"Throughout the 24 hours I got 12 support runners, all of them signed up after they heard about the challenge I set and the cause I ran for.

"Some of them I've never met before. I really felt the community behind me.

"Most of the times there were people welcoming me as I returned home for refreshments between my five to six loops.

"As the night came and the air cooled down I felt more comfortable to run, but by this time I was falling behind my schedule and I could only allow five minute breaks between each loop.

"Overnight I was running alone for about five hours, as I returned home every hour my wife helped me get ready for the next run by preparing snacks, warm drink and pain killer (my legs were sore).

"By Sunday morning I was very slow and felt sorry for my support runners - they have to explain their pace to their Strava followers.

"I decided to keep doing 400 meter loops in Barford and use the maximum time allowed, the race had to stop at 12pm.

"I gathered my last strength to get back home from the park for a 12 o'clock finish, for something that felt like a sprint finish but video footage shows I was just about limping over the home straight lined with old and newly acquired friends.

"Next day I was confirmed as one of the 17 people who completed the 100 miles. I couldn't have done it without the support of the local community.

"It made all my struggles worthwhile knowing that the funds raised will go towards a youth centre that we all desperately need."

Tomas' fundraising page as of Wednesday afternoon stood at £1,800.

To donate go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/our-community-deserves-this-new-youth-centre