THE GREAT RUSSIAN RACE

The Great Russian Race is an running relay from Russia's most easterly city Vladivostok spanning 11,000km across Russia to the  finishing line in St. Petersburg. The race was split into 15 stages covered by teams of British and Russian athletes in groups of three or four, covering two lots of 10km a day for a week. It was a gruelling challenge, but one that all those that took part in have fond memories of the hospitality of the Russian people. I  took part in stage five - Nerchinsk to Novopavloka -  with five other British athletes from in July 2005.
 

The team was made up of Captain Robbie Donaldson, Matthew Gibbons, Philip Doyne-Ditmus, Ricky Rickson, Julian Vero and myself. It was an incredible experience and over £5,000 was raised for Russian Orphans for  the stage. A very special thank you to those that supported us and race organiser Dick Haldane for making the week such a special event.