Dave Cooper (RRC), presentation of National 100km Championships, April 2002
Dave Cooper (RRC), presentation of National 100km Championships, April 2002

 


In the past I have been fortunate enough to have some of my expensive and extreme races supported by some very kind sponsors. Spira continue to supply my excellent shoes and Mannatech my nutritional supplements, but in order to compete in some more inspiring events I need a financial sponsor to step on board to support these expensive events.

In return you are guaranteed coverage on my website, I can wear kit with your logo on, can put advertising on my van (which is seen all over the country with racing nearly every weekend - in summer as much as two or three races per week) and where possible get coverage in the media, I am regularly covered in local newspapers and occasionally get coverage on TV. I was ranked No 1 in GB and No 4 in the world for 24 hours in 2009 and am still improving my performances at all distances. I will also continue to represent my country at International level at events that UK Athletics and England support.

Spira shoes


Spira shoes are quite new to the UK market and are designed for pounding the roads at all distances. The new spring design created an energy return system to help lesson fatigue. It’s rare that you get an opportunity to wear such revolutionary shoes and so I am privileged to join the band of runners wearing these shoes.

The first shoes I wore in the range were the Stinger and Stinger Elite. I took to these shoes immediately, very flexible and breathable and extremely light. My first road race was a half marathon and improved the club record immediately, compared to 2008 I improved all my short distance times wearing these shoes in 2009, from 5km up to the marathon (not easy when you are a Vet 45!). They are light enough to wear for a marathon if you want a good time, often I use marathons for training and so wear the heavier training shoe, but did try them in the Luton Marathon where I got my best time of the year despite not being in my best shape for the year. Like all light weight racing shoes their life is limited, but I can 100% say with confidence they are the best racing flat I have ever worn. They have the lightness and feel of racing flats, but the next day my legs recover much quicker as if wearing a heavier trainer.

For my long distance races and heavy training schedule it took time to test the Striker to compare the results to previous trainers. The turning point really came in the Commonwealth 24 Hours, being slightly heavier than my previous 24 hour shoe I was a little reluctant to wear them, but as you have time to change shoes in 24 hours I had the Stinger lined up in case I needed a light weight shoe to finish with. There was no need, my feet were the best they have ever been in this race, just one tiny blister and my feet had none of the usual throbbing and aching that I usually experience in these races and my quads were not screaming at me as they usually do. The shoes performed well throughout the year but until the Commonwealths I had nothing convincing to say they were any different from other trainers. In that Commonwealths I had a few problems in training and had been to previous races fitter, although not “unfit” I had a schedule written for 215km that I thought would be enough to win gold, the result was a staggering 226km and I did not have to fight hard through the pain barrier in the last 4 hours. I am convinced the shoes were the factor that not only helped win gold, but helped me climb back up the World Rankings, finally finishing 4th in the IAU ranking for 2009. I would not run a 24 hour race without them.

Website: www.spirafootwear.co.uk

Mannatech


Mannatech have sponsored me with their nutritional supplements since 2000.
These products help greatly with my recovery from training and races. As an example of my recovery rates I ran 48 races in 2004, 23 of which were of marathon distance or above, that's almost a race every week and a marathon every fortnight.
The products I currently take are:



Sport:
herbal supplements with Ambrotose taken before and after training runs and during ultra distance races. These products help lessen the stiffness I experience associated with exercising. I take four capsules before and after training and when running ultras try to take one capsule every hour.

Empact: Sports drink taken before and during races, made slightly more dilute than recommended make up. As with most sports drinks this helps keep hydrated and more carbohydrates in the body while training. Drink as and when needed during training and races where I am able to have support.

Glycoslim:
taken immediately after all training runs and races, chocolate flavour is usually made up with hot milk as after cold runs as I get very cold after training, vanilla flavour is often incorporated into a smoothie, blended with yoghurt and fruits such as banana, melon, pineapple and kiwi fruit. These products have a good content of nutrients and although aimed at slimmers these are the perfect make up to recover from hard running before the body can take solid food, they also have a good supply of protein to repair tissues damaged during exercise (also tastes superb!!)

Ambrotose Powder: this product helps keep the immune system healthy and is based on cell communication and carbohydrates not found in the diet. I have recently doubled my intake of this product to a teaspoon per day and hope this will help with my asthma.
Catalyst: basically a vitamin and mineral supplement, more of an insurance policy to ensure I am not short of nutrients but prefer to take Mannatech products as I have been assured they are free from contaminations and have been drugs tested several times while taking Mannatech supplements. I take two tablets twice a day as the recommended dose

Ambrotose AO:
a supplement based antioxidant formula that neutralise free radicals and toxins in the body, I take one capsule twice a day as the recommended dose.

Catalyst: basically a vitamin and mineral supplement, more of an insurance policy to ensure I am not short of nutrients but prefer to take Mannatech products as I have been assured they are free from contaminations and have been drugs tested several times while taking Mannatech supplements. I take two tablets twice a day as the recommended dose.

Centurion Systems

Sharon with the magnet

After sustaining a stress fracture to my left hip in 2008 I was recommended by a good friend Anke, from Germany, to look into magnetic therapy for healing and came across this superb set up by Centurion Systems.

It is a pulsating magnet that you sit in (or can use on other body parts - knees, ankles) and promotes bone healing along with other therapeutic effects. As I was already aware that I had a low bone density (I am classed as Osteopaenic) my bone health is of great concern with the distances I run.

My diet is very healthy but there is little I could do to improve my bone density until I came across this equipment. I have been using it since July last year and returned to my sport to achieve a new personal best distance in my 24 hour event by the end of the year. The equipment can be purchased outright or temporarily hired out to see the effects, which is what I initially set out to do but is now permanently set up at home and used regularly every day. Do take a look at the systems as they really are a safe product to aid recovery from a number of problems.

Website: www.centurion-systems.co.uk


Darlington Building Society

Darlington Building Society supported me for the Badwater Ultramarathon, 135 miles across Death Valley in July 2009 and sponsored the Croft Circuit 6 Days which took place in February 2009.

Van ready for record attempt

EIM

EIM sponsored the Marathon des Sables 2008.

EIM – www.eimgroup.com

 
Sonic Relief 

During rehabilitation of my Achilles I used a small portable ultrasound device from www.MendMeShop.com , I used this for 5 minutes twice a day and was soon back running again.

Elle MacPherson Intimates


Elle Mac Pherson sponsored me for the year 2003 only. This paid for all my training expenses for that year including all kit, warm weather training and a trip to Taiwan to compete in the World 100km Championships. Elle also personally designed my own unique racing kit for the year.

Sponsors for Libyan Challenge 2007

EIM is paying the cost of entering the event.

University of Teesside is giving £1250 towards support to complete this event, such as equipment, use of the environmental chamber to acclimatise. Matthew Wright is co-ordinating the various disciplines of support such as nutrition, exercise physiology and biomechanics (very different running on soft sand and carrying a big ruck-sack). Darren Cooper from the Sport Injury side is trying to keep me injury free.

The Backpackers Shop, Guisborough is supplying all the equipment I need at cost price – GPS, sleeping bag, ruck-sack, sahara cap, waterproof socks etc.

Sponsors for LEJOG 2006

Sponsor Sharon
I am now looking for further sponsors for a new van. I use a converted van that I can sleep and cook in for events. When events require a lot of travelling and start early in the morning we sleep in the van overnight to save on costs and also it is nice to wake up at the event with no travelling to do. Also at 24 hour events it is a necessity, needing it to make hot food and drinks as required and supply my helpers with a roof to shelter from the weather and somewhere for me to change kit and sleep after the event.

I am a prolific racer having competed in over 50 races last year alone. My van is recognised by most athletes and can carry your logo and advertising. It can be used in any advertising campaigns and support material and am willing to turn up for special events.

Please contact me for details on becoming my new sponsor.



   
   
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