New dad takes on mountain running charity challenge

A DAD-of-four will tackle some of the UK’s harshest terrain when he takes on a 50-mile mountain run in the Lake District.

Ryan Sproat, 34, from running club Hyde Village Striders, hopes to raise thousands of pounds for charity over the year and is taking on the Montane Lakeland 50 — one of the country’s most grueling races — to hit his employer’s annual fundraising target.

Ryan of Dukinfield, Tameside, said he’s been training hard for the tough event on Saturday (July 24th) by hill running in the Peak District, despite welcoming new baby son, Finlay, just 12 weeks ago.

He said: “It’s been a massive juggling act to try to fit the training around the new baby and the rest of family life, I am really lucky that my partner Sam has been so supportive and kept all the plates spinning whilst I’m out training.

“During training, I’ve run close to 700 miles, which is probably the most I’ve done compared to any previous years, mainly in Castleton and Edale, spending hours on end doing big loops around the hills there with my training partner Paul Frost, who is also taking part in the event.”

The fitness fanatic, who works for Stockport-based specialist lender Together, hopes to raise thousands of pounds for his work’s ‘Let’s Get Giving’ charity fundraising initiative, with beneficiaries including St Anne’s Hospice in Cheadle and the British Heart Foundation.

His colleagues at the finance company have already generously sponsored him to complete the route from Dalemain to Coniston, over some of the Lake District’s highest peaks.

Ryan, who lives with Sam and their three other children aged three, nine and 16, said: “I’ve been running for a number of years and have done four marathons, including the Manchester and Berlin events, so mostly running on the flat around city centres – but nothing like this before.

“This is more of an endurance race and an adventure. Some of the hills are pretty significant and the route is designed to be really tough with runners going across slate paths, though forests and across rivers. It’s going to be really challenging completing the 50 miles but I can’t wait to get started!”

He added: “I’ve had great support from colleagues around the business so far but any financial contribution to Together’s two chosen charities of the year will be very much appreciated To sponsor Ryan, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=Together1&isTeam=true