Refusing to be beaten by injury, Team Trigstone from North Berwick will compete in the arduous ‘Race the Sun 2010’ Challenge for charity in the Lake District this weekend.

In their first attempt last year, the four competitors, (pictured l to r) Steve Street, James Barbour, Helen Loy and Neil Anderson were the first mixed team to finish from a field of 66 from across the UK and abroad last year (and third overall) and had their sights set on taking first place this year. 

A setback, in the shape of a broken arm during cycling training, meant Helen was out of the race, but her daughter Rosanna Loy has stepped into the breach to take her place. 

Rosanna (17) is a 6th year pupil at North Berwick High School and has fitted months of training into just a couple of weeks, with a daily regime including running four times up North Berwick Law and back in less than an hour. The youngest competitor ever to have entered the event, Rosanna is excited about taking part and commented, “My mum’s a tough act to follow, but I’ve been training every day so I’m up for the challenge – and she’ll be there to support me on the day”. 

Team Trigstone is raising money for Action Medical Research which funds cutting-edge medical research to prevent and treat conditions affecting thousands of babies and children in the UK. They are hoping to beat last year’s total of £2,500 and anyone wishing to pledge money to the charity should visit www.justgiving.com (Rosanna Loy) website.

The ‘Race The Sun’ challenge, described as the ultimate team challenge, which takes its name from the fact that the teams start at sunrise (6am) and must finish before dusk, takes place in the Lake District on Saturday 4th September.

Severe weather conditions hampered teams last year, however, and some were still out on the course after 14 hours! It involves a 50 mile (80kms) cycle across mountainous terrain, a climb to the summit of Helvellyn, England’s second highest mountain, at 3,116ft (950m) and a 3mile (4kms) kayak course on Lake Thirlmere.