Stars of madcap decathlon raise hundreds

By Ross Findon

Monday, June 4, 2012

 

Stars of madcap decathlon raise hundreds

Hannah Griffiths, left, from the Needles Old Battery, with the Wight Decath10n competitors.Picture by Peter Boam.

VIDEO

A GROUP of friends who embarked on a madcap race across the Isle of Wight have raised hundreds of pounds for charity. 

Competing in the first ever Wight Decathlon, the group of three friends along with a team of supporters, embarked on a race across the Isle of Wight, each using ten modes of transport.

From scooters to skateboards, a replica Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and a piggyback, the group made their way across the Island on Saturday.

The event has so far raised £350 towards a fund to replace the gun carriages that support the historic guns at the National Trust's Needles Old Battery.

The event was devised after a discussion on social network site Twitter.

Throughout the race, the group posted messages and pictures of their progress on Twitter, using the hashtag #Wight10, with supporters sending regular messages of encouragement.

Competitor Matthew Whittaker said: "The hardest bit had to be when I rollerbladed from Cowes to Newport."

The race started at Bembridge Windmill and finished at the Old Battery, however there was no set route and competitors chose their own means to get there.

Cat James said: "The most unusual transport for me was Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, but the tricycle was a unexpected nightmare to ride."

Fellow racer Mat Penney made it to the finish line via Portsmouth, including stretches running, swimming and skateboarding.

Hannah Griffiths, custodian at Needles Old Battery said: "We're really grateful to everyone involved and everyone who donated."

For more on the event and how you can get involved next year or donate, visit the official Wight Decathlon website created by Pinkeye Graphics here.

View Matthew Chatfield's video of the event below:

Comments

Log-in or register to comment on this story.

By ticking "Remember me" you agree to a cookie being stored on your computer - no personal data is shared.

Forgotten your password?

Any views or opinions presented in the comments above are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the Isle of Wight County Press.

Facebook Icon Twitter Icon Delicious Icon

More News

1 - 2 - 3 - 4

Most Read

  1. Homes plan in top hotel’s grounds

    Saturday, May 18, 2013

  2. Hundreds turn out for Race for Life

    Sunday, May 19, 2013

  3. Down the hatch

    Sunday, May 19, 2013

  4. New way of receiving prescriptions

    Saturday, May 18, 2013

  5. Island urged to help save disappearing bee

    Saturday, May 18, 2013