LM Fitness in Colne complete the epic 48 hour Goggins Challenge in aid of Positive Action in the Community

Two runners from Colne, took on the extreme Goggins Challenge – running 48 miles in 48 hours, raising more than £1,500 for East Lancashire charity Positive Action in the Community.
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Ultra runner and US Navy SEAL David Goggins created the Goggins Challenge 4x4x48, which consists of four miles of running every four hours for 48 hours. During the challenge, participants must accomplish all 48 miles within the allotted 48 hour period.

In addition to demanding physical endurance, the challenge requires mental strength, planning, and discipline.

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This year, LM Fitness members Gareth Metcalfe and Andrew Carson decided to take up the challenge.

Leroy Philbrook (Support Runner PAC), Sarah Day (Support Runner LM Fitness), Andrew Carson (Main Runner), Ben Catlow (Support Runner LM Fitness), Gareth Metcalfe (Event Organiser/Main Runner)Leroy Philbrook (Support Runner PAC), Sarah Day (Support Runner LM Fitness), Andrew Carson (Main Runner), Ben Catlow (Support Runner LM Fitness), Gareth Metcalfe (Event Organiser/Main Runner)
Leroy Philbrook (Support Runner PAC), Sarah Day (Support Runner LM Fitness), Andrew Carson (Main Runner), Ben Catlow (Support Runner LM Fitness), Gareth Metcalfe (Event Organiser/Main Runner)

PAC supports those in the East Lancashire community affected by youth homelessness, domestic abuse, and emotional health and wellbeing.

LM Fitnesse's Goggins Challenge started at 8pm on March 3rd, at the LM Fitness Centre in Colne. Along the way, the pair were joined by friends and supporters for LM Fitness and PAC to run with them on particular legs of the journey.

At the beginning of each four-mile run, every four hours – the runners went live on Facebook. They delivered 12 appeals for fundraising, explaining the different services that PAC offers.

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In addition, to raise the profile of various services provided by PAC, the four-mile runs at noon on Saturday and Sunday were set off from Waterside Youth Club and Safespace Pendle, respectively.

Andrew Carson (Main Runner), Mel Greenall (Support Runner LM Fitness), Claire Bennett (CEO PAC), Gareth Metcalfe (Event Organiser/Main Runner).Andrew Carson (Main Runner), Mel Greenall (Support Runner LM Fitness), Claire Bennett (CEO PAC), Gareth Metcalfe (Event Organiser/Main Runner).
Andrew Carson (Main Runner), Mel Greenall (Support Runner LM Fitness), Claire Bennett (CEO PAC), Gareth Metcalfe (Event Organiser/Main Runner).

However, the extreme nature of this endurance event took its toll on their bodies, and by the penultimate run, many of the runners had to push through pain, sore muscles, cramps, and exhaustion to keep going.

But they did it; at 4pm on Sunday, March 5th, they completed their last run of four miles, 48 miles in total, ending the 48-hour adventure where they started at the LM Fitness Centre in Colne.

This year LM Fitness' Goggins Challenge raised more than £1,500, and all the money raised will be going to support Positive Action in the Community and their ongoing projects.

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Positive Action in the Community was established over 20 years ago, but its services are needed more than ever. In 2019 PAC received around 900 referrals for all its services. In 2022 following the pandemic and economic recession, PAC received over 3,000 requests for support.

Gareth Metcalfe, the event organiser from LM Fitness, said: “As a gym community, we know that we have the numbers to make a difference when it comes to charitable causes. We've done it previously and wanted 2023 to be another year of doing the same.

“We chose PAC as a charity operating in our local town. With many strands to their work, we knew that we could help many people through the money we raised, but more importantly through the awareness we brought to the great work they do.”

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Claire Bennett, CEO of Positive Action in the Community, added: “It is unbelievably impressive what these runners have achieved, not only physically but mentally.

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“We at PAC are extremely grateful for Gareth organising this event and all the runners and people that supported them and have donated to support PAC; thank you, your donation will make a real difference to our ability to respond to the increase in demand for our services.”

To donate, please go to https://bit.ly/LMFitness-PAC