Ultra runner Sichel floored by ‘acid stomach’ in Dutch 24 hour race

Orkney ultra distance runner, William Sichel, learnt some valuable lessons in last weekend’s Apeldoorn 24 hour road race in Holland but was badly affected by stomach acid problems.

William had an excellent start gradually working his way up the field to 2nd place by the 10th hour but increasing problems with nausea and vomiting forced his withdrawal 14 hours into the race by which time he had covered 79.1 miles.

William will now make the necessary changes to his feeding regime to prevent these symptoms re-emerging again.

"It's only by putting myself through these extreme situations that I can gather the necessary experience and self-knowledge to ensure future success.  I’d rather discover this problem now than in the middle of Death Valley in two month's time."

William will now focus specifically on the World's Hottest Race – the Badwater Ultramarathon - 135 miles through Death Valley on July 24 - 26th  in California.  

The Dutch event provided success for Scotland’s Pauline Walker who set a new Scottish women's 24 hour record of 125 miles to win the ladies race.

William is grateful to sponsors: dion_networks, Loganair, Sheila Fleet Jewellery and The Orcadian.

End.

30/5/06

Editor’s Notes
William currently lies 5th on the “All time” list of British road 24 hour performances with his run of 153.3 miles in 2000 and is currently ranked overall No2 in Great Britain in the 24 hour event with his outright win in the ‘Across the Years’ 24 hour race in Phoenix in January 2005 completing 136.4 miles.

William is a member of the Orkney Athletic Club and was voted Orkney’s ‘Veteran Sportsman of the Year’ for the second successive year in November 2005.  He has represented Great Britain 11 times at ultra distance running since 1996.  

William set new Guinness World Records for both 100 miles and 24hrs on the treadmill in December 2002.  With his wife, Elizabeth, he runs the Orkney Angora (hand dyeing specialists) mail order business in Sanday, Orkney.

Although born in the Warwickshire village of Welford and brought up in the southeast of England, William has lived in the Orkney island of Sanday since 1982.
Comment from Orkney Athletic Club: please contact Ronnie Johnston ronnie.johnson@orkney.uhi.ac.uk
Higher quality images can usually be supplied if required.

Making contact:
William Sichel, Upper Breckan, Sanday, Orkney KW17 2AZ. Tel/Fax: 01857 600421. Mobile 0794 128 3506. william@williamsichel.co.uk  Running web site: http://www.williamsichel.co.uk/

William Sichel, 'Free to use' photographs can be down loaded from my on-line photo album.  Go to: http://www.williamsichel.co.uk/ and click on 'Photos'.