So proud of these guys and what we stand for within Atebion. Share with your friends an colleagues. Let people know that there is a way through addiction.
In 2020, I took up running. In 2023, I entered and completed the Lakeland 50 Ultramarathon. That same year, Sian, my wife, also completed the 50 alongside her friend, while my brother and sister-in-law took on the 100-miler as multiple-time finishers. My son, Sam, completed the 50 too, before returning to do it all again in 2024. For us, it has become a real family affair.
Early in 2025, the organisers asked if I would be interested in managing one of the checkpoints. I’m still not sure whether they recognised the uselessness of my running or my ability to pull people together. Of course I accepted. What better way to spend a weekend than organising 18 marshals and enough food and drink to keep around 2,500 runners fuelled, motivated and moving?
Over the past few years, my own recovery story has gradually become one that has been shared throughout the Lakeland community. In return, others have shared their own stories of overcoming adversity. Together, those conversations have led to some incredible friendships and lasting relationships.
As marshals, we’re offered a free place in the following year’s event, which can either be accepted or donated to someone else. Thanks to the generosity of our volunteers last year, together with the support of the Lakeland team, Atebion was fortunate enough to have a small pool of places to distribute. A place in the Lakeland is highly prized, which is why thousands enter the ballot every year.
For me personally, the acceptance shown by a community who may not necessarily have direct experience of addiction, but who certainly understand what it means to fall down, get back up and keep going, has been incredibly humbling. Their kindness still gives me goosebumps and fills me with hope for what is possible when we look beyond labels and stigma.
So there I was, with these places in my hand, wondering what to do. The decision was simple.
We distributed them through recovery and homelessness organisations because I wanted the people who give so much of themselves, often without recognition, to share in the rewards. More importantly, I genuinely believe there should be no competition in recovery and no monopoly on helping people get well. As individuals, we recover together. As organisations, we should stand united, supporting one another’s endeavours.
So, on Saturday 25th July, seven organisations, predominantly from North Wales, will be represented on the Lakeland 50 start line by eleven individuals, largely people in recovery from addiction and many other forms of adversity.
It’s a tough undertaking, make no bones about it. Fifty miles. Around 10,000 feet of elevation. And, hopefully, eleven finishers.
Whatever happens over the coming hours, they have already achieved something far greater than crossing a finish line by simply accepting the challenge.
I honestly couldn’t be more proud of every single one of them.
Stay connected over the next few days as I’ll be sharing their progress as it happens.
If you’re one of the eleven, I wish you all the very best. Godspeed—and, of course, a little bit of luck.
And if you’re struggling with addiction or facing challenges of your own, follow their journey. I hope it reminds you that no matter where you are today, change is possible.
This isn’t a post to raise money, it’s to raise awareness. A couple of the guys however do have fundraisers for the event, so if you would like to support them, and support us to help others, here’s the link https://gofund.me/abdc7b3c0
Rich Price, who is in long-term recovery from a long-standing alcohol problem, is Founder of the unique grassroots initiative Atebion (Welsh for ‘Solutions’). Based in North Wales, Atebion aims to help people overcome addiction and other forms of adversity in natural community settings, as well as tackle the disconnection in society that is having a negative impact on our social and emotional wellbeing.