Members of Oldfield Park based gym, CrossFit, joined forces on Sunday 9th June to hold a rowing challenge in aid of the Bath Rugby Foundation.
Using a rowing machine, members of CrossFit Bath rowed as far as they could for one minute each, with every rower being charge a donation of £1 to row. After members battled it out and challenged each other, the two men and women with the furthest distance took home a signed Bath Rugby shirt, teeth whitening by Bright White Smiles, paintballing at Hamburger Hill and a Paleo cake by Bath Baby Cakes.
The challenge was inspired by the fundraising efforts of gym member and Bath resident, Sarah Burgess, who is preparing to undertake another 28 mile row challenge of her own.
On Saturday 15th June 2013, Sarah, who also plays for Bath Rugby Ladies, and her other half and fellow CrossFit member, Sam Pullen, will join a team of local novice rowers to undertake the Bath Rugby Foundation’s Ultimate Row Challenge – to row in a Cornish gig from Isles of Scilly to Land’s End. This daunting and difficult 28 mile row, which is being sponsored by the new Blackberry Z10 handset, is expected to take over seven hours.
Sarah Burgess said: “We really appreciate the help that the guys at CrossFit have given us, from allowing us to use the gym and the equipment for this event, to pushing us to our limit during a workout. Since joining CrossFit Bath nearly a year ago, my mentality towards challenges like this has changed, and will allow me to persevere right to the end of the row, irrelevant of how tired we are or how much pain we’re in. It’s a very daunting but exciting challenge!”
Ollie Mansbridge, owner of CrossFit gym said, “Sarah and Sam are embarking on a huge challenge which will test them not just physically but also mentally. Both Sarah and Sam pour every ounce of effort into their CrossFit workouts and never give up when faced with adversity. This will make them a huge asset to the boat and put them in great stead going into the challenge. Their mental strength will help pull them and the team to the finish line.”
Donations can still be made to Sarah’s fundraising efforts or the Ultimate Row Challenge team by going to:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Sam-and-Sarah or www.justgiving.com/brf
