Superheroes deliver the goods

Sun 7 Jun 2015

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A great day was had on Saturday at the 2015 Norfolk Superhero Challenge. This unique quadrathlon event features a 1 mile open water swim, 4 mile kayak race, 45 mile cycle ride and 10 mile cross-country run. 80 teams of two took part, all raising funds towards the Wells Shannon Lifeboat Appeal.

Organised in conjunction with Wells RNLI guild and station, the station ILB attended on the water while guild and crew volunteers manned a souvenir stall and demonstration ILB on the race event field at Burnham Overy Staithe. Much time and help for the organisers was also given by crew and guild member Martyn Flitcroft who acts as safety co-ordinator for the event every year, and crew member Danny Roberts who spent much of the day supervising traffic. The RNLI's Stormy Stan came up specially to help with proceedings while other guild and crew members and their families joined a cheerful and friendly crowd watching the event and cheering the competitors on.

Conditions wern't the easiest with a hot, sunny day and a stiff south-westerly breeze which made the opening swim from the harbour entrance to the hard most difficult, as well as demanding extra effort in the other legs. The overall winners with Niall McCallum and Dave Walker completing the entire event in just 4 and half hours but all of the competitiors that started made it all the way round.

The biggest winner of the day though is perhaps Wells RNLI station because our appeal to fund a new Shannon class lifeboat for Wells-next-the-Sea and the North Norfolk coast was chosen as the event's charity this year. Everyone on station would like thank the organisers and those who took part for their incredible support. It's an amazing sporting event that has gone from strength to strength and will no doubt continue to do great things in future.

The final total raised isn't known yet but it will make a major contribution to our appeal and be a lasting and significant contribution to life saving on the North Norfolk coast for many years to come... superheroes indeed!

(Photos: MP and FW)

Superhero website

1 mile swim in a choppy harbour channel

Completed swimmers run to fetch their kayaks

Transition from swimming to kayak race

Kayaks starting off from the Staithe on a 4 mile loop around the marshes

A quick recovery from a capsize as one kayak sets off

Transition from kayaks to a 45 mile bike race around the lanes and villages

After the bikes, a 10 mile run on sea bank, track, beach and marsh

Stormy Stan with two race marshalls

Guild and crew and their families watching the race

The finish line as the first finishers run over the marsh and through the channel

Stormy Stan with winners Niall McCallum (l) and Dave Walker (r)

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