Clawson businessman completes epic endurance challenge

Gareth Bright, former global events manager for Triumph Motorcycles and now owner of Long Clawson-based award-winning business, Woodcote Events Ltd, was elated to get to the finish line in the demanding 12-hour Dawn to Dusk 2024 event.

Despite an intense work schedule that left little time for training, Gareth pushed through extreme weather conditions in the Brecon Beacons, in Wales, to finish the race.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in Gareth's personal journey of physical and mental recovery following two life-changing motorcycle accidents.

The endurance race, held on a challenging 16-mile off-road course, tested Gareth’s limits under some of the toughest conditions in the event's history.

Heavy rain on race day turned the course into a treacherous, mud-soaked challenge.

According to Nick Plumb, the event’s organiser and Gareth’s good friend, this year’s weather made it ‘the most challenging conditions we've seen in over 20 years’.

Gareth managed to complete three laps of the course, an impressive feat considering the circumstances.

"I deeply regret not being able to train as much as I wanted to due to our busiest season yet at Woodcote Events," Gareth said.

"We’ve been working six to seven days a week since April, so my training took a back seat.

"It dawned on me very quickly just how tough this race was going to be when I completed a practice lap on the Saturday, but finishing it under those conditions, with little practice and being an off-road novice, is something I’m proud of. The course was far more advanced than I had anticipated. I’m not going to lie, I was petrified."

Gareth was joined by teammate, Virgil Stevenson, a seasoned racing professional with extensive off-road experience.

Virgil completed an impressive 10 laps, demonstrating his skill and endurance.

Together, as Team Woodcote Events, they finished 37th out of 192 competitors in the 12-hour race, and 26th out of 41 two-man teams.

Team Woodcote Events extends a heartfelt thank you to their sponsors, Mowbray Fireplaces, Smart Fire Safety, and LS2 Helmets, for their unwavering support throughout this journey.