But one man is intent on running around the cycle track non-stop for 24 hours.
That is the challenge that seasoned distance runner Bryce Alford has set himself for next weekend to raise money for the Jersey charity Words and Numbers Matter.
He is aiming to run around the 1,500m track from midday on Saturday 21 November to midday on Sunday 22 November, and hopes to complete about 130 miles.
He is inviting Islanders to join him at any stage of the challenge and says that this, above all, will keep him going and, more importantly, keep him awake.
‘I’ll have various people joining me on the way, both during the day and the night, and there is an invitation to anyone to do that for any distance they like,’ he said.
‘The biggest help is having people to run with – the time goes by quickly, hearing all their different stories.’
Bryce will be eating and drinking as he goes and will have support from his wife Jo and their son, Rex, during the day.
He said that he had raised money for various health charities in the past and wanted to do something for one that he knew could make a big difference to people’s lives.
People sometimes missed out on learning basics in English and maths at school, and this charity helped them to fill the gap, he said.
‘It really improves confidence and self-esteem and can make a big difference to people’s lives,’ he added.
Bryce has completed numerous endurance events over the years, including this year’s 100 km Oxfam Trail in the UK – he and Mark Nicol were two Jersey members of a team which was the first civilian team to finish – and, a week later, the 48-mile Round the Rock race, which he finished in 7½ hours, his quickest time so far.
- WORDS and Numbers Matter was launched in 2013 and runs initiatives which support local people of all ages to improve literacy and numeracy skills while increasing awareness of the importance of improving education in the Island.
- The charity received awards from Barclays at the 2014 and 2015 Barclays Community Awards to develop its Learn Achieve Believe project, which helps young Islanders make the transition from education to employment.
- Volunteers lead weekly sessions at Jersey Library covering skills such as writing job applications, understanding job adverts, letter writing and money management. As well as focusing on important life skills the volunteers aim to develop the self-belief and motivation that young people need to succeed in the workplace. The sessions also give children the chance to develop numeracy and literacy skills, which are essential for their future prospects.
- The charity also runs workshops at the Broad Street branch of Barclays every Friday from 4 pm to 5pm which cover maths and English.
