William Sichel

William Morley Sichel (born 1 October 1953 in [Welford][1], Northants. International ultra distance runner; World No1 for the Six Day event in 2006; represented Great Britain eleven times since 1996. Lives on the Orkney island of Sanday.

Results & Sporting History

RUNNING HISTORY:

1972: Started running for fitness.

1973 - 1981: Achieved international level in Table Tennis representing Scotland (although born in England , father is Scottish) in various events in Hungary, West Germany and European championships in Switzerland (1980)and reached semi-finals of Scottish National Championships men's singles.

Underwent training in Japan (6 months at the Nihon University Table Tennis Club, Tokyo - July to December 1977) and in China (6 weeks at the Beijing Institute of Physical Culture in 1980).

Retired in February 1981 whilst playing for the Evro Salamanders Club in The Hague, Holland. Ran daily as part of general fitness training.

First season of competitive running: 1981 (one season only)

Ran 2 marathons: Birmingham 2hrs 43 mins and Apeldoorn (Holland) 2hrs 40 mins.

1982: Moved from Leiden, Holland to the small Island of Sanday in Orkney. Started craft business, got married (to Elizabeth) and started family (Tanya and Bella). Maintained general fitness but no competitions.

Second season of competitive running: 1992.

Hoy 1/2 marathon (June 1992): 12th in 1hr 26mins. Very hilly course.

Great Scottish Run 1/2 Marathon (August 1992): 249th in 1hr 19mins 18secs. Overtook 8000 runners, warm conditions.

Black Isle Marathon (October 1992): 12th in 2hrs 53mins 46secs. Very hilly course. Adverse weather conditions with gale force head winds.

Third Season of competitive running: 1993

London Marathon (April 1993): 384th (Men aged 18-39 section) in

2hrs 44mins 02secs ( New Orkney record). This time gives guaranteed entry into next year's London Marathon. Poor starting position.

Luton International Marathon (July 1993): 7th in 2hrs 39mins 48secs (New Orkney Record and New Personal Best). Undulating course. Quite good conditions for running. Last event as a senior. Become a veteran on October 1st.

British Veteran Marathon Championships (October 1993), Stone, Staffordshire:

M40: 3rd in 2hrs 39mins 13secs (New Orkney Record and New Personal Best). Ideal weather conditions.

Fourth Season of competitive running: 1994

London Marathon (April 1994): 457th overall in 2hrs 42mins 19secs. This time gives guaranteed entry into next year's London Marathon.

Isle of Man TT course 40 mile road race (May 1994): 2nd overall in 4hrs 29mins 57secs. First British runner and first M40. First Ultra!

Scottish 100km Championships (July 1994): Overall WINNER and Scottish Champion in 8:01:10.

London-Brighton 55 mile Road Race (October 1994): 8th overall in 6hrs 37mins 53 secs. Fourth British runner and first veteran over 40.

Significant Results:

1995: London Marathon, 2:38:17. Personal Best.

Robin Hood 100km/Anglo-Celtic Plate: 7:32:02; 3rd overall, 1st M40, PB, Scottish International Debut.

British 100km Championships, Edinburgh: 7:28:18; 2nd overall, 1st M40; PB.

World 100km Championships, Holland: 7:17:39; 45th place, PB.

1996: World 100km Championships, Moscow: 7:19:11; 25th place, GB debut.

Torhout 100km, Belgium: 7:07:49, 11th place overall, 4th M40; PB.

Sri Chinmoy 24Hr Track race, London: WINNER with 125.86M/202.54km; PB. Debut at event.

1997: European 100km Championships/Del Passatore, Italy: 7:44:59; 20th place overall, Team bronze medal.

World 100kmChampionships, Holland: 7:27:56; 45th place overall, 15th M40.

Solo 100km Track Time Trial, Monkton Stadium, Tyneside: 7:08:21.

1998: Alloa Half Marathon: 1:14:59; 26th overall; PB.

British 100km Championships/Anglo-Celtic Plate, London: 7:26:33 2nd overall, 1st M40.

European 100km Championships, Belgium: 7:21:31; 27th overall; 2nd M40.

Veterans World 100km Championships, Holland: 7:16:24; 3rd overall, M40 WINNER - World Champion.

World 100km Championships, Japan: 7:46:26; 22nd overall, 1st M45;

Niort 24Hr Road Race, France: 149.3M/240.291km, 3rd overall. Major breakthrough at this event.

End of year rankings: 24 Hours: World No12, GB No1.

1999: Speyside Way 50Km Trail Race: 3:30:04; 5th overall, 2nd M45.

World 100km Championships, France: 7:30:53; 45th overall.

Anglo-Celtic Plate 100km, Dublin: 7:32:40; 4th overall, 1st M45.

British 100km Championships, Edinburgh: 7:32:19; WINNER & British Champion for the first time.

First 24Hr 'Cyber' Race, Leicester, England/Totonto, Canada: WINNER with 139.4M/224.388km.

End of year rankings: 24 Hours: GB No1.

2000: April 16th: Speyside Way 50k Trail race. RESULT: 3:26:54. 2nd overall, (first M45 - new course record for M45). Over 3 mins quicker than last year on a slower course. Excellent run on a tough hilly course.

May 13th/14th: Sri Chinmoy Basel International 24Hr Road Race, Switzerland. RESULT: WINNER with 246.704km/153.29M. New Personal Best in oppresssively hot conditions. First overseas victory. My greatest run to date. Best by a GB runner for over 8 years.

June 2/3rd: Apeldoorn International 24Hr Road Race, Holland. RESULT: DNF. Led the race from the 4th to the 11th hour but pulled out after 11hrs 15mins running due to lack of recovery from the Basle race. Completed 75.81M/122.01km.

July 9th: UK 100k Championships/Anglo-Celtic Plate 100km Team Competition, Edinburgh RESULT: 18th place in 8:51:33. Not fully recovered from the Basle 24hr - no speed endurance. Finished strong but slowly!

October 21/22nd: IAU European 24Hr Championships, Uden, Holland. RESULT: Completed 159.144/98.88M in the 24hrs. Stomach trouble forced me to walk for the last 12hrs. Got the full 24hrs experience. GB won the bronze medal in the team event.