Hortsteppers complete their 100km challenge

A team from the Horticultural Trades Association is celebrating after raising over £5,500 for charity.

The Hortsteppers completed the London2Brighton Challenge last week, walking 62 miles (100km) non-stop from Old Deer Park in Richmond to Brighton Racecourse.

The HTA team was made up of Penny Evans (Training and Careers Manager), Tony Stacey (Marketing Manager), Tim Bell (Commercial Manager), Donna Hanlon (Business Development Manager), Carole Loftus (Events Organiser) and Lauren Swanborough (Events Assistant).
 
The courageous team completed the walk, which includes 1,400 metres of ascent, in 30 hours and have been on a vigorous training plan since January. The route started in Richmond upon Thames and heads south through the suburbs of London, then through the heart of Surrey and Sussex and over the South Downs towards the finish line at Brighton Racecourse.
 
Team leader Penny said; “All credit to the team’s mental strength and team spirit, as this was much tougher than could be imagined. Great laughs were shared with pain and tears, but the HTA team supported each other all the way. With the 5 months training and the challenge itself, we all know each other a little better now! The question is what’s next? … the immediate answer is.. absolutely nothing!”