One of the more unusual ways to celebrate New Year will be experienced by Orkney based ultradistance athlete William Sichel.  He will be running in the “Across the Years” 72 hour race in Phoenix, Arizona starting on Monday 29th December at 4pm UK time. 

The 25th anniversary of this non-stop series of races will be held at Nardini Manor on the outskirts of the city. The event consists of three ultra races – a 72 hour, 48 hour and a 24 hour - with all races timed to finish at 9am on New Years Day (4pm UK time).

William is using the event as a final ‘stepping stone’ prior to his second attempt at Scotland’s oldest athletic record – 567 miles in 6 days – which was set 126 years ago in 1882.

William has pleasant memories of this event as he ran there in 2004, winning the 24 hour race with over 130 miles.

“It is one of the best organized events in the world with a purpose-built road course laid out around private grounds in Litchfield Park, Phoenix.  I know that everything will be of the highest quality and it will be well worth running there.”