Keybury Fire and Security’s third annual charity challenge weekend – the company’s most challenging yet – was christened a “Try-Athlon,” comprising a 40-mile bike ride, an eight-mile trek up and down Whernside, and a 21-mile swim.
It began on a Friday afternoon with a cycle ride in glorious weather along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal towpath from Keighley to Leeds and back. One member of the Keybury peloton suffered a puncture after just 20 metres, but – pumped up at regular intervals! – managed to hobble to Shipley, where repairs were effected.
Bright and early on the Saturday morning, the team – some of the cyclists admitted to being a tad tired after their efforts the previous day – assembled and headed for Whernside, the tallest of Yorkshire’s Three Peaks.
Apart from going a little astray on the downward march, Keybury’s on-the-ground support crew made good use of portable two-way radios to guide the trekkers safely back to base camp.
There was still the small task of a combined swim of 1,344 lengths of Shipley Swimming Pool on the Sunday. A constant stream of swimmers was in the pool for four hours and successfully racked up enough lengths equivalent to crossing the English Channel!
This year’s proceeds of £2,150 are being split equally between Sue Ryder Manorlands in Oxenhope and the Alzheimer’s Society. The company has now raised over £7,000 through its three annual fund-raisers, with Manorlands being an annual beneficiary.
Keybury’s HR director Karen Gee said: “With participants from across every department of the company, the weekend was deemed a great achievement by all. And, while those who competed in all three events were looking a little wobbly by the end, everyone enjoyed themselves and encouraged each other to keep going when they were starting to feel the pace.
“We would like to warmly thank everyone who donated, took part and helped to support the event. This latest epic combined our previous two years’ challenges, as well as adding a third element, so who can imagine what kind of crazy challenge will be dreamt up for next year!”