Preparing for SUP Bike Run 2025: Tackling the Long Course in Devon to Raise Awareness for BANA
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I’m excited to announce that I’ve officially signed up for the SUP Bike Run event in Devon for 2025, and I’ll be taking on the Long Course! This event, which combines stand-up paddleboarding, cycling, and running, is a unique challenge that I’m thrilled to tackle. But this race isn’t just about personal achievement—I’m participating to raise awareness for the British Acoustic Neuroma Association (BANA), a charity that’s close to my heart.
Why SUP Bike Run?
SUP Bike Run combines endurance, strength, and mental focus across three disciplines. The Long Course includes a 6K paddle, a 42K road bike ride, and a 10K trail run—distances that will push my limits. Here’s how I plan to tackle each leg:
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6K SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboarding): Based on my paddleboarding experience, I’m aiming to complete this section in under 50 minutes. I’m confident I can maintain a strong pace and still conserve energy for the following legs.
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42K Road Cycling: My target is to complete the 42K bike ride in under 2 hours. This will require strong, consistent cycling, balancing speed and endurance on what I anticipate will be a hilly Devon route.
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10K Trail Running: After the SUP and bike sections, I’m hoping to finish the trail run in about 50 minutes. Regular trail running has prepared me for uneven terrain, and I’m ready to push through the fatigue in this final leg.
Supporting BANA
What makes this event truly special is that I’ll be doing it to raise awareness for BANA, the British Acoustic Neuroma Association. BANA offers vital support and resources for individuals affected by acoustic neuromas, benign tumors that impact hearing and balance. As someone who has been diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma, I know how critical this support can be.
BANA helps people across the UK with advice, information, and a community of support that makes navigating life with an acoustic neuroma much more manageable. By taking part in this event, I hope to highlight their work and inspire others to learn more about this condition.
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My Training Plan
Preparing for this challenge requires a solid training plan, focusing on each discipline:
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SUP Training: To meet my sub-50-minute target, I’ll be regularly paddleboarding, focusing on distance paddles to build up endurance and refine my technique.
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Cycling: Aiming for under 2 hours means I’ll be dedicating plenty of time to long road rides and hill work. This will help me maintain pace and strength over 42K.
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Running: I’ll continue my routine of 10K runs, integrating more trail-specific workouts to handle the terrain and hit my 50-minute goal.
Why I’m Excited
Endurance events like SUP Bike Run are as much a mental challenge as a physical one, and what motivates me most is knowing I’m doing this to support BANA. Each stage of the event presents a unique challenge, and finishing it will be a rewarding milestone, both personally and in raising awareness for acoustic neuromas.
Follow My Journey
As I train for the event, I’ll be sharing updates on my blog, including insights into balancing all three disciplines, progress toward my time goals, and more about BANA’s incredible work. The SUP Bike Run in Devon promises to be a thrilling and meaningful experience, and I can’t wait to take it on.
If you’d like to learn more about BANA or support the charity, check out their website here. Stay tuned for more updates as I gear up for this exciting challenge!
