We’re delighted to report back that last Saturday 25th July Angeline, Reg, and Trevor completed the epic Alpine Marathon Challenge and beaming with pride crossed the finish line in Davos to the applause of family and friends!

From the awe inspiring scenery of the Alps to the unforgiving uphill runs, the grueling Alpine challenge was an incredible experience for our 3 challengers. Full of pre-race nerves and excitement with no idea what to expect, the guys set off from the start line surrounded by runners from around the world.

After months of intensive preparation with trainer Hannah Shields, running the Alpine course was the ultimate test for our challengers as they competed in the biggest mountain ultramarathon in the world. With 21 km of the race on high alpine terrain and part of the trail at an altitude of 2,600 metres the guys really had to practice everything they had learned in training in order to make it across the finish line.

As Trev summed it up for us “The run itself was tough going. We paced ourselves as much as we could, but it was hard to do that because you just didn’t know what was coming round the next corner. The scenery was amazing though, it’s really a gorgeous spot. Not a bad place to kick start your marathon career!”

And it looks like the challenge has ignited a genuine passion for running amongst our challengers! Ange is talking about running the Causeway Coast Marathon this October while Trev is committed to taking part in 10km runs throughout the year and not one to do things by halves, Reg has set his sights on doing the New York City Marathon. Now that’s what you call a ‘Never Give Up’ kind of attitude!

With the post race celebrations lasting throughout the week in the guys respective home towns of Laois, Down and Clare, everyone can now let their hair down and take some time to chill out… well almost everyone, our girl with the ‘can do’ attitude Angeline is one of the finalists in this year's Mary from Dungloe Festival. Best of luck Ange, we’re all behind you!

So after a lot of blood, sweat and tears, not forgetting the injuries, needles and the beginning of new friendships, Angeline Sloan, Reg White and Trevor Lee have proved that anything is possible if you put your mind to it!

Visit our photo gallery to see all the highlights from the race day.

This week saw the calm before the storm as Ange, Reg and Trev, kept training to a minimum and got some much needed rest and relaxation. From acupuncture to deep tissue massage, they focused on keeping their muscles in good shape and maintaining energy reserves for the big run.

The support for the guys has been incredible with well wishes coming from family and friends at home and around the globe! As Ange says, “I kind of feel at this point I’m not just doing it for myself anymore – I’m running it for everyone else as well, everyone who has helped me along the way- because I wouldn’t have got here without them.”

So, there are now great expectations upon our 3 challengers and with it comes nerves and the worry of not succeeding but as Reg tell us“… they say worry is like a rocking chair, gives you something to do but gets you nowhere!” Suffice to say we can be pretty confident that nerves won’t get the better of Reg!

The only thing the guys are seriously concerned about is the big ‘A’ - that’s right folks Altitude! There’s no escaping it and at the same time they only have today and tomorrow to acclimatise themselves ahead of the big challenge!

The good news is that trainer Hannah is on hand to oversee the Alpine course and ensure that the guys fully familiarise themselves in time for the big race.

One thing’s for sure, there is no doubting the absolute determination of our 3 challengers, as Trev summed it up for us this week, “…I know it’s going to be a huge challenge but we haven’t come this far for nothing, so even if it means I have to crawl over that finish line –I’m gona do it!”

So with the Alpine Marathon Challenge, literally hours away, all that’s left to say is best of luck guys, we’re all behind you and most of all remember to NEVER GIVE UP!!

From non-stop training to a total wind down for our 3 challengers, the last week has seen them ease up on the long distance running in order to give their muscles a rest ahead of the big race.

Trev is still experiencing some tightness in his cavles which his physio has advised is most likely a result of over training. In order to relieve the tension, he has had to endure another unwelcome session of acupuncture.

As a wiseman once said: “No pain! No gain!”

With exactly a week to go Angeline Sloan, Trevor Lee and Reg White, know that taking part in the Alpine Marathon Challenge is going to be a great mental challenge as well as physical one and probably one of the biggest challenges that they will ever have to face.

They our now alternating between swimming, running and cycling in an effort to give their different muscles a break and keep them in good order for the challenge in Davos.

Last weekend, against the backdrop of a torrential downpour, the guys completed their last big run before the Alps. Whilst they can testify to a wealth of experience when it comes to running in rainfall, running at a high altitude, an inevitability of Davos, is an altogether different matter and no one quite knows what lies ahead.

Not forgetting however, what another wise man once said, “Once you put in the training, the results will come out!” and we couldn’t agree with you more P.O.C!