Volunteers, fellows and students of the Sikh Education Council took on the challenge of the Spartan Race on Sunday 8 May in Henley-on-Thames. Team SEC, comprising thirteen members, started and completed the race together helping each other along throughout. There was a range of experience and fitness levels amongst the participants and so the level-headed support of those who had been through the course previously was welcomed!

The Spartan Race was an eye-opener in terms of where we want our community to be fitness-wise,” said Team SEC captain Taren Singh. “We wanted to take on this challenge because we think it is important to build a rapport between volunteers as well as those who attend our programmes of study, helping to build mutual trust and put into practice the Sikh concept of equity. It was a great afternoon all round – Team SEC is going from strength to strength!

Hari Singh is a project co-ordinator for the Sikh Education Council’s physical fitness activities, and is a seasoned veteran of the Spartan Race. “Spartan Race is a great event that pushes you both physically and mentally, challenging you to compete against others whilst learning about your own body“, said Hari. He further stated, “This is the third time we have taken on the Spartan Race at the SEC and it is important that we keep this up, not only for our members but for the wider Sikh community, particularly younger people who don’t see enough of our faces at these events. The health benefits are fantastic, but what we learnt at the race this time around will hold us all in good stead for the future and help us to develop how we look after ourselves physically.

Team SEC raised money for the Sikh Education Council at Spartan Race and garnered a total of £1329.69. Thank you to everybody who donated and supported our participants!