Young event rider and British Eventing (BE) Youth Ambassador Tara Kay (19), has taken on the challenge of running an ultramarathon of 50km at the annual Phoenix Running Doughnut Dash in January to raise funds for the BE Support Trust.
Tara is a working pupil on a Professional Event Yard and competed at 3* this season. She is also on The Howden Way Rider Academy as well as being on the BE Youth Ambassador Panel. Hugely passionate about eventing, and an advocate for optimising rider’s physical and mental health and fitness, Tara wanted to find a way to help support and raise the profile of the work undertaken by BE Support Trust.
She said: “I have always been a keen runner alongside my eventing, and love to use it as an outlet outside of the lifestyle that being an event rider brings! I believe that if riders are physically and mentally fit then we can help get the best out of our horses.
“I have chosen to fundraise for the BE Support Trust as it is an invaluable asset to the industry, helping to keep riders as mentally and physically healthy as they can be so that they can continue to perform at their happiest and their best. One rehab session for an athlete cost £65 and I would like to raise enough for 30 of these – a total of £1,950.
“Despite having never competed in a distance running event before, I will be running an Ultramarathon on 12th January 2025 – this is a distance of 50km – held at Sunbury on Thames. Between now and then I will cover some 652km of running to prepare – this is made up of shorter training runs and one long run every week.”
Inspired by Tara’s challenge, British Eventing CEO Rosie Williams has signed up to the 5km run. She commented: “Despite many old sporting injuries including five ACL injuries, and the fact I can’t currently run 500m, Tara has motivated me to enter the 5k. It will be a challenge but worth it as The BE Support Trust does so much for our sport, and it’s great to have an opportunity to contribute and give back. I wish Tara the best of luck in her training, and of course for the run itself. Please do give generously to support both Tara and the BE Support Trust.”
Jane Hunter-Walsh, General Manager at The BE Support Trust said: “The BE Support Trust is always grateful when someone takes on a challenge to raise money for the charity, and an ultramarathon is definitely a next level challenge! We are thrilled to see Rosie joining the challenge too. We will be cheering Tara on every step of the way and cheering Rosie on when she joins for her 5k! We are very appreciative of what Tara is doing to support our work and to help British Eventing competing members who need our support.”
The BE Support Trust was founded in 2021 to help BE competing members through difficult times, whether that be recovering from an equine related injury or coping with mental health challenges. The charity offers general well-being support, medical support, mental health support, including a 24/7 mental health helpline, and financial support. Regardless of whether the accident happens out competing, out training or at home the charity aims to help in a prompt and sympathetic manner. To find out more, visit https://besupporttrust.org.uk
The Doughnut Dash is a timed event where you choose from 5km to 10k, half to marathon to ultra. You can complete as many, or as few, laps as you like of a 5.3km, 3.28 mile, out and back, course along the beautiful river Thames. All abilities of runner are welcome.
To find out more about the charity run and how to donate, please click here https://www.phoenixrunning.co.uk/events/doughnut-dash
