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Sharon smashes two world records at Teesside University
Ultra distance runner Sharon Gayter has smashed two world records at Teesside University.
Sharon Gayter breaking the running on a treadmill world record at Teesside University
Sharon beat the men’s and women’s world record for long distance running on a treadmill over seven days by an incredible distance – running a staggering 832.57km or 517.33 miles.
She exceeded the current female record holder, grandmother Mimi Anderson who ran 650km (403.81 miles) by 182.73km (113.5miles) and the current world record holder Lee Chamberlain who ran 753.24km (468.04 miles) in July 2009 by 79.33km (49.29miles).
Sports writer Mike Amos MBE was Sharon’s official finisher and he will compile the evidence to submit to Guinness World Records to confirm the new records.
Sharon, who has run over 300 marathons and more than 100 ultra distance races ran for about 18 hours a day for seven full days at Teesside University’s Olympia Building to set a personal best record.
Messages of support poured in to Teesside University from all over the world including Spain and India inspired by her bid and her fitness. The current world record holder Lee Chamberlain also sent his congratulations.
In April this year Sharon ran 750km in six days in Athens. After that she trained at Teesside University with the support of the sport science service based in the School of Social Sciences & Law.
Nicolas Berger, senior lecturer in sport and exercise and Keith Haley, technician manager, co-ordinated Sharon’s support on campus. This included fitness testing which highlights any areas that need extra work.
Through her world record bid, Sharon, who is a part-time lecturer at Teesside University, has been raising money for two charities - Leukemia and Lymphoma Research to support a colleague Michael Wren who lost his daughter Charlotte to Leukemia when she was just three years old; and Zoe’s Place, a hospice for babies in Middlesbrough.
The athlete has run from Lands End to John O’Groats, over 800 miles and chopping 17 hours from the world record, she has run the Badwater Ultramarathon of 135 miles across Death Valley – billed the hottest race on earth and set the best time by any British athlete male or female. Just this year she completed the world’s highest race around the Himalayas in India. In 2009 Sharon won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Championships 24 hour event.
Sharon said: 'This was a world record attempt I have wanted to do for some time and thanks to the support from Teesside University, I was able to achieve it.'
But she already has her sights set on a new record – running from the southern tip of Ireland to the north from Mizen Head to Malin HHead starting on the 25 March 2012 – she hopes to run the 350 miles in less than five days.
Apart from the support from the University, Sharon receives very little sponsorship and has funded the bid herself to raise money for charity.
Keith Haley from the School of Social Sciences & Law said: 'We have supported Sharon in preparation for this bid and a team supported her around the clock for the full seven days. Her drive and commitment is inspiring to so many.'
Donations
Donations to the charities Sharon is supporting can be made at: virginmoneygiving.com/SharonGayter
Or text your donation to FYVR54 followed by the amount - for example FYVR54-£1.
21 December 2011
In the News
Sharon is putting her feet up after an amazing 2011 but she's not hanging up her running shoes just yet
Evening Gazette, 04/01/2012, p.4; Gazette Live (Web), 04/01/2012
2011 saw Sharon Gayter, 48, smashing both the men's and women's world records for the furthest distance covered on a treadmill in seven days. The record was achieved at Teesside University, where she works as a part-time lecturer.
Sharon makes history
Herald & Post, 29/12/2011, p.11
Endurance runner Sharon Gayter smashed the world record for long distance running on a treadmill over seven days at Teesside University.
A proud record
Evening Gazette, 30/12/2011, p.20
Sharon Gayter broke records running on a treadmill at Teesside University.
Sharon Gayter what a performance
Northern Echo, 26/12/2011, p.13
Praise for Sharon Gayter, the ultra distance runner who smashed the world record in running on a treadmill.
Ultra-distance runner Sharon Gayter
The Times Higher Education Supplement, 22/12/2011, p.14
Look ahead to Teesside University lecturer Sharon Gayter's attempt to the world record for running on a treadmill over a week, while raising money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and local hospice Zoe's Place.
Sharon breaks running records
BBC Radio Tees, 21/12/2011; TFM, 21/12/2011; BBC (Web), 22/12/2011
Ultra-distance runner Sharon Gayter broke the world record for non-stop running on a treadmill. The runner from Guisborough broke the record while running on a machine at Teesside University.
Top of the world by standing still
Northern Echo, 22/12/2011, p.39
Endurance runner and part-time Teesside University lecturer Sharon Gaytor broke both the male and female world records for running on a treadmill over a period of one week.
Endurance record 'was far too easy'
Northern Echo, 22/12/2011, p.9
Endurance runner and part-time Teesside University lecturer Sharon Gaytor, who has broke the male and female world records for running on a treadmill, describes her achievement.
Tees runner Sharon smashes world record
Evening Gazette, 21/12/2011, p.2; Gazette Live (Web), 21/12/2011; BBC 1 North East, 21/12/2011; BBC Look North, 21/12/2011
Endurance athlete Sharon Gayter smashed the men's world record for long distance running on a treadmill over seven days. She spent a week running for about 18 hours a day at Teesside University.
Sharon breaks world record
ITV North East Tonight, 20/12/2011; ITV 1 Border, 20/12/2011; BBC 1, Look North, 20/12/2011; BBC 1 North East, 20/12/2011; BBC Radio Tees, 20/12/2011
Runner Sharon Gayter has broken a women's record by running more than 400 miles in five days on a treadmill at Teesside University.
