Orran raised £1,280 for Cruse

Local man and ultra-competitor Orran Smith completed the Tor Des Geants in September 2023 raising the incredible amount of £1,280 for Cruse.

Orran, described as probably the island’s grittiest athlete, has undertaken numerous challenges over the last few years. The Tour des Geants race involved running a distance over 200 miles (330km) in the mountainous areas of Donnas in northern Italy near the French and Swiss borders. It is the only race to combine long distance with the individual style of runners. There are no compulsory stages with the winner achieving the fastest race in the shortest time. 

Orran said ‘The race was tough, in the early hours of the event I felt really rough but with the right approach I pushed through. The event was challenging - there is no actual support cars or people but food and ‘life’ stations along the route where the runners can rest or eat and drink.

Our Chief Executive, Mary Doyle, said: “As a charity we are grateful to anyone that supports our charity. This is a gritty, tough event and we would like to thank Orran for all his endeavours for us”.

Pictured is Orran just after the kit check on the day before the race started, and two of our trustees David Stacey and Judy Arnold BEM with Orran and his fiancee Nikki Arthur who supported Orran at the Tor Des Geants and is also an ultra-competitor.