A Burnham-On-Sea personal fitness instructor has this weekend completed an incredible 80-mile extreme fitness challenge to raise funds for charity.
Sonny Topham completed 32 non-stop jogging and walking circuits of a 2.5-mile course around the top of Brean Down.
He began the gruelling challenge at 11.50pm on Friday night and finished on Saturday evening at just after 7.45pm.
Supported by friends along the way, he described it as his “toughest challenge yet,” completing the 80 miles for the Alzheimer’s Society in memory of his grandmother, Maureen Leeming, who was aged 80 when she passed away earlier this year.
Sonny told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I feel so grateful to everyone that came out to support me. I couldn’t have done it without them – everyone has been amazing.”
Sonny’s mother, Mandy, who cheered him home, added: “I am so proud of what he has done. Every day he really impresses me with what he does. He is such a caring person that really wants to help people whenever he can.”
He was supported along the way on Saturday by Dominic Debonis, who ran over 62 miles of the route to support him, while Ed Hill ran 12.5 miles, and Joseph Cox completed 15 miles.
Several members of the Burnham Sole Sisters running group also ran alongside him, with Amanda Baker, Louise Cushion and Mel James joining him on the last circuit.
Sonny also thanked Richard Curtis from Cardea Massage Therapy who gave him massages throughout the event and also provided motivational support.
He also thanked Joanna Besley, his girlfriend, who was there from midnight, and who arranged his food and drink supplies and provided support on the day. “She has also supported me and helped me prepare for the months leading up to the challenge,” he said.
In July 2018, we reported here how Sonny took on a 100-mile challenge of walking and running ten circuits of a 10-mile route in a day around Burnham, Highbridge and Brent Knoll for Children’s Hospice South West.
In 2017, we reported here that Sonny had completed a gruelling challenge by walking up and down Brean Down 100 times in a day to raise money for a children’s charity and inspire others to conquer their personal goals.
To donate, see https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tyrepullultramarathon
