Retired inspector runs more than 200 miles in four days

30 August 2022

A retired Suffolk inspector who recently completed a 215 mile ultra-marathon in honour of Nicola Hughes, 10 years after the police officer was tragically killed while on duty, says it was the “toughest challenge” he has ever taken part in.

Alan Oliver (56) spent four days running from the West to the East coast of Scotland earlier this month to help raise money for the PC Nicola Hughes Memorial Fund, a charity launched in memory of the late police officer after she was shot following a routine burglary call.

Alan, who had been in the Force for 30 years before retiring in March this year, is taking part in a number of fundraising events to help bring in money for the charity and says “it is so important to keep Nicola’s memory alive”.

“I’ve run 100-mile ultra-marathons before and I thought that was tough but this one took things to another level,” said father-of-one Alan.

“For every positive, there seemed to be a negative - for every up, there was a down. For the last 21 miles, my feet were in agony. Every step was agony, my feet were covered in blisters and bruises from the pounding of running.”

The GB Ultras Race Across Scotland was an organised event, with ultra-marathons defined as any running distance longer than a 26.2 mile marathon.

Alan explained that during the first few days of the challenge, temperatures were hot, reaching more than 30 degrees, and leading to him suffering from heat exhaustion.

“The medics didn’t actually think I’d make it,” he added. “But I did and I did it in 97 hours.”

Over the four days, Alan ran day and night, only managing to sleep for a total of two hours, which led to him actually hallucinating due to exhaustion.

“When you take part in an ultra-marathon, you need to get to certain checkpoints in particular times, which means you have to keep going. I basically had two options, to run faster and sleep or go steady and sacrifice sleep,” he continued.

“I managed a few power naps but to be honest, the pain in my feet was keeping me awake. When it comes to ultra-marathons, I think it’s all in the head.”

Alan started running in 2018, and has since completed multiple ultra-marathons, but his most recent challenge is the longest run he has ever taken part in.

“When I got to running the last 21 miles, it was tough. I thought to myself, ‘do I quit?’ and for me, the answer is always no,” added Alan.

“I get a thrill from pushing myself to the limit and I like proving to myself that I can do it.”

Alan will also be taking part in the New York Marathon and the Berlin Marathon later this year, both raising money for the PC Nicola Hughes Memorial Fund. His fundraising efforts are being supported by Police Pass and Niche, who are both providing corporate sponsorship for him.

“As I was retiring this year and it’s 10 years since PC Hughes was so tragically killed, it seemed only right that I raised money in her memory,” said Alan.

“Nicola was so young, it’s so important that we continue to keep her memory alive and hopefully, I can help bring something good to the children the charity supports.”

The PC Nicola Hughes Memorial Fund aims to provide learning opportunities and pre-employment skills to children who have experienced the death of a close family member as a result of violent crime such as murder or manslaughter.

Donate to Alan’s fundraising page.