The 'Severe' Challenge
On Saturday 24 May 2025, Frank Buhagiar and Rob Spence are running ‘The Classic Quarter’, a 44 mile Ultra Marathon along the steep and rugged coastal path in Southwest Cornwall.
These brave 50-somethings will be running as a relay pair. Frank will be running the first half starting at Lizard Point, which is the southern most tip of the UK. Rob will run the second half finishing at Land's End, the western most part.
They will effectively be running a marathon each, give or take a couple of miles, except the course isn't a flat route along streets but instead along challenging terrain with endless steep climbs and descents. The Classic Quarter Race website states that the terrain is SEVERE.
(Classic Quarter Website here)
There is also the unpredictable weather to contend with as the coastal path has spectacular exposure, and is a just a hop and a slip away from the potentially pounding Atlantic swells. “Every runner must be well prepared, both mentally and physically”.
The Inspiration
Training for such a grueling event has been a challenge - lots of pulled muscles and blisters so far (thank goodness for compression socks and icepacks!) Why are they putting their bodies through it? Apart from proving to themselves they still have what it takes, they're raising funds for GrandFriends The Company of Elders.
GrandFriends is a charity set up by Frank's wife Lavinia in 2022 with the mission to bring together elder volunteers with children and younger people who need the benefit of the GrandFriends’ company. You can find out more about the volunteers and the programmes run in Bath by the GrandFriends team by clicking on this link (GrandFriends Website Here)
Real Benefits
Frank says “GrandFriends is an idea Lavinia had been brewing for years and it is amazing to see the real life benefits which the team have already brought to so many people. The charity is still growing in Bath, and with the concept so simple they have the potential to tackle intergenerational loneliness across the country. Like all charities, though, they face enormous competition for vital funds in these tough economic times."
Every Pound Counts
Any kind donations would be very gratefully received and used to carry on creating rewarding intergenerational connections. Every pound makes a difference, and will spur us on to meet the challenge of The Classic Quarter”
THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND SUPPORT