REGULARS from Carlisle Cricket Club were definitely not stumped when they decided to raise much-needed cash for a few good local causes.

Today, (Saturday, May 23), in a single day of inspired teamwork, 72 members and supporters of the Edenside club plan to score a fundraising victory by running a combined total of more than 130 miles, providing vital cash for Eden Valley Hospice and junior cricketers.

Most of the players who will take part are to complete a half-hour running stint, with their efforts going towards the target distance of 134 miles.

Most will be running – while socially distanced – in the Carlisle area, though one, the club’s former junior coach James Bell, will join the “134 Challenge” from near his home near Watford.

But by far the longest run – a gruelling 10 per cent of the total distance, and slightly more than a half-marathon – will be done by club captain Marc Brown, 32, who will follow the route of the Cumbrian Run, doing the whole thing in his full playing kit – whites, pads, helmet, gloves and his bat!

“We’re hoping to accumulate a total of 134 miles between us, the distance there and back to our furthest away game,” he said. “That’s how far it is to travel there and back to Millom, who we should have been playing last weekend.

“I’ll start my run at the club and follow the route of the Cumbrian Run. I’ve done the run four times before so I know the route well.

“My personal best for a half marathon is 1 hour and 33 minutes, but in this event I’ll settle for 2 hours and 10 minutes, given that I’m going to be fully padded out in all my cricket kit.”

A PE teacher at Trinity School, who has been involved with the club since he was 11, Marc pointed out that most players would usually run no more than 88 yards in their playing kit – that’s the distance they would have to cover if they run a ‘four’.

His 13.4 miles equates to 23,584 yards.

The ages of those taking part in the event, which gets underway tomorrow morning, ranges from just six to some runners who are in their 50s. As news of the fundraiser began to spread via the JustGiving website, support has poured in.

Half the amount raised will support the junior section of the club, while the rest will go to Eden Valley Hospice, a cause which some club members have in the past been volunteers for.

“It’s a really good cause,” said Marc, whose father Tony, 62, will cycle his route with him while socially distanced.

“This event is something positive that we can do as a club to support the local community in this difficult time. We’ve got ten teams in our club and it’s also a way to help people keep in touch with each other.”

The fundraising effort has already allowed the club to exceed its initial £750 target, which has already been handed over to Eden Valley Hospice. Since it was handed over, more than £2,000 more has been pledged, and Marc and fellow club members hope the total will keep on rising.

If it does, they may be able to help a third worthy local cause, added Marc.

Though this season’s cricket has been wiped out by coronavirus, its recent history has been impressive. Last year, for the first time in 37 years, it came top of the Cumbria Cricket League Premiere Division.

Carlisle Cricket Club hit the headlines last month when officials revealed plans for a new flood resilient pavilion, combined with an archaeology centre. The ground, beside Eden Bridge and next to the River Eden, has suffered repeated floods.

The new pavilion would solve that problem, and combine with an archaeology centre displaying some of the “Premier League” Roman archaeology found at the site. The centre would also function as an education centre, telling the story of Roman Carlisle. It would give the city’s tourist trade a huge boost, say supporters, who hope for grant funding. Cricket has been played at Edenside since at least 1828.

For more information, visit JustGiving fundraising page at shorturl.at/fmnU6