James Thurlow Wins the SleepMonsters Inspiration Award

Rob Howard / 26.02.2013

The UKAR Awards and annual ball took place last weekend at the Thurston Activity Centre in the Lake District, with racers from around the UK getting together for a weekend of running, riding and dancing. 

Part of the weekend is always the annual awards ceremony, giving out prizes, some for fun, but mostly to recognise achievements and performances over the past year in the wider AR community within the UK.  (It didn’t attract quite the same attention as the Oscars, which took place on the same day, and the dress code was a little different ... down jackets and bow-tie combos have not caught on in Hollywood yet!)

One of the awards is the annual SleepMonsters Inspiration Award, which is given ‘to anyone who has inspired you through their racing or achievements in the AR scene’ and this year’s winner was James Thurlow of Open Adventure ‘for working while sorting out his diabetes and his plans with HowFast’.

James was chosen from 6 nominees who had inspired their racing peers in the past year and will hold the trophy (which was hand carved in Costa Rica) until the next awards. Race Directing is a demanding job and James oversaw a varied programme of races last year including the AR World Series expedition race Sting in Stirling, while coming to terms with a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.

He is currently planning a fund raising coast to coast trip along a 175 mile trail with 8700m of ascent, and asking supporters who give a donation to guess how long he will take to complete it, with prizes on offer for whoever is closest. He has called the challenge How Fast Coast to Coast?’ and you can find out all about it and make donations and guesses at http://www.howfast.org. Give him your support.

Describing how diabetes was diagnosed and has affected him James explains; “It was discovered when Steve our event medic and Charlotte one of our volunteers (who happens to be a GP) checked my blood sugar as I was not feeling too good. It was at the end of 24 hour non-stop event, and right after that I spent 2 days in hospital. Since that time diabetes has become an integral part of my life - with injections and blood testing five times a day.

“There are plenty of people out there who compete in sport at a professional level with diabetes so my challenge is to pull together my love of the outdoors whilst keeping on top of the diabetes. Sadly 90% of people with diabetes are overweight ... not a great statistic and I probably sit within that 90%... hence part of this event is not just about raising money - it's about me - I kind of need to focus on a project that will lead to a healthier life.”

Other winners on the night were;

Performance of the Year; Team Adidas Terrex

For their first places at Swift and Sting

‘Go balls deep’ Endurance Award; Alex Pilkington

For his suffer-fest at The World Champs – destroying the soles of his feet and relying on Duct tape to replace them Alex Pilkington for his suffer-fest at The World Champs – destroying the soles of his feet and relying on Duct tape to replace them

The Best Newcomer Award; Fiona Poulter

For multiple podiums at Open 5’s and completing The Sting in Stirling.

Best Course Planner; Nick Gracie

Nick Gracie for Open Adventure’s Sting in Stirling

Unsung Hero Award; Clive Ramsay

For his amazing food at the Sting in Stirling

You can see the full list of nominees and awards on the Adventure Racing Ball Facebook page, along with a photo gallery of the weekend and the awards by Eddie (papARazzi) Winthorpe.