UK Athletics have given Orkney’s world ranked ultra distance runner, William Sichel from Sanday, a final deadline of July 19th,, by which time he must have recorded a minimum of 137 miles in a recognised 24hr race.

The July deadline has been published so that all aspiring ultradistance runners, wanting to be in line for selection for the Great Britain team participating in September’s European 24hr Road Running Championships, know exactly what they have to do.
William, ranked No1 in Britain, for the 24hr event, for the past 4 years and twice reaching No12 in the World, has struggled this winter to clear two shin problems that have dogged him since September last year.
William is now back in full training and although time is short feels that he has reasonable chance of making the minimum distance required.

“The 137 miles required is well below my best of 153 miles, recorded when winning the Basle International 24hr race in May 2000. It’s just that time is not on my side as I have only been back in full training a relatively short time and haven’t raced since last August. Anyway I’m prepared to give it a go and see how it goes.”

“To try and achieve the distance required I have decided to tackle the Cologne International 24hr road race in Germany on July 13th/14th. I can get the support there, the course is well shaded and I will be well looked after. Also it gives me the maximum amount of training time before the team is selected.”

William was voted Orkney’s first ‘Sportsman of the Year’ in November 2000. He is a member of the Moray Road Runners and the Orkney Athletic Club. With his wife, Elizabeth, he runs the Orkney Angora mail order craft business in Sanday.

William is grateful to sponsors Orkney Meat (main sponsor), The Ayre Hotel, The Orcadian, Crantit Dairy (Orkney Ice Cream) and Saucony UK. William also receives a grant from the sportScotland Lottery Fund.

Photographs:
Newsline Scotland (Press Agency). Tel 01224 594000. photos@newsline-scotland.co.uk
Ken Amer, Orkney Photographic. Tel 01856 873574, Mobile 07808 961780 info@orkneyphotographic.co.uk

10/6/02