Orkney’s world ranked ultra distance runner, William Sichel, heads off to Uden, the Netherlands next Thursday (19th) to compete in the IAU European 24 Hour Road Running Championships starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday October 21st and finishing at 2 p.m. on Sunday October 22nd.

Following a host of races around the world, William’s personal best performance in May of 153.3 miles at the Basle International 24hr Road Race, ranks as the 5th best run of the year on a road course.

“Although on paper I will be going to the Netherlands as one of the favourites, in reality I am playing down my chances. I don’t feel that I am in the kind of form that I was in earlier this year. It is disappointing but that’s sport.”

The European Championships is generally an annual occurrence and is the longest event recognised by the European Athletic Union. Scots dominate the Great Britain mens team, which will be competing against a dozen others from across Europe. Three of the four man team are Scots with William being joined by Don Ritchie (Lossiemouth), and Adrian Stott (Edinburgh) along with England’s Walter Hill (Crawley).

The race is being held on a 1.55 mile course in the eastern dutch town of Uden. Approximately 120 runners are expected to start in the Championship race and the Open race combined. This type of event is run as a time trial with the athlete covering the greatest distance in 24hrs being the winner. Lap recording is doneby computer chips tied to the runner’s shoe laces so that fool proof distance recording can be carried out.