Alex Atkinson from Preston is a runner on a mission as he sets out to take on not only the challenge of the Lakeland 50, one of the most difficult courses in the world, but to raise money for children’s charity EPIC KIDZ. Cheering him on are his colleagues from Harrison Holidays, where Alex works as part of the team at the holiday company’s head office in Preston.

Considering the scale of the test that Alex is taking on you would think he was a seasoned runner, but it was actually only in 2020 that he started running when he was looking for something to keep himself occupied during the Covid lockdowns. Beginning at a 5k run, it wasn’t long before he was reaching 10k and kept increasing his targets, progressing to half marathons and then on to the full marathon distance and beyond. This has led him to the Lakeland 50, which takes place this weekend on Saturday 29 July and is described as “one the greatest ultra-trail challenges in Europe, perhaps the world”.

This is the first time that he has done a run for charity, so Harrison Holidays has donated £500 to Alex’s Just Giving fundraiser to give a boost to his quest and to support the work of EPIC KIDZ, which gives under privileged children across Lancashire and beyond access to various sports and activities.

Alex loves running around Harrison’s Holiday Parks based around Southport, with the Southport Coastal Path, near Riverside Holiday Park, a popular location for runners and cyclists. For more of a challenge he enjoys the Northumberland countryside and the nearby coastline and endless trails that are located around Harrison Holidays’ Percy Wood Holiday Park.

Talking about his approach to running, Alex says, “There is a quote which is so true to running and anything in life, ‘Commitment will get you started but consistency will get you to the finish line’. Anyone can do it, a good level of fitness will always help!”

Walking and running challenges have been quite a theme this year at Harrison Holidays, with others in the team having taken part earlier in the year in the Star Trek walk organised by Southport’s Queenscourt Hospice and the Lakes 3000 summit challenge organised by the Chronicle Sunshine Fund in the North East.

You can make a donation to Alex’s Just Giving fundraiser in aid of EPIC KIDZ HERE

Harrison Holidays was founded over 40 years ago by George Harrison and continues to be run by his sons today. From its Preston headquarters the company manages eight holiday parks that are situated across the North of England including the North West, the Lake District and Northumberland. For further information CLICK HERE

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