Last month, Reagan Elliott, one of our talented Civil Engineering Technicians, took on the Dart Challenge, an endurance event aimed to raise funds for a new playground at Dartington Hall.

Participants had six hours to complete as many 5k laps as possible across mixed terrain including gravel, grass, tarmac, mud, and one decent hill each lap.

Reagan conquered the challenge, completing 10 laps in 5 hours and 15 minutes, finishing 1st in his age group and 3rd overall!

This achievement reflects the same dedication and perseverance Reagan brings to his engineering projects. We are proud to have team members who go the extra mile!

We sat down with Reagan to gain more insights into his training, mindset and skills required to succeed in the challenge and in the industry.

Here’s what he shared:

What motivated you to take on the Dart Challenge, and how did you prepare for such a demanding event?

The Dart Challenge landed on a perfect date for me. With my 50-mile run just two months away, it became the ideal opportunity to test my endurance in tough winter conditions—even though I usually prefer much warmer weather. Training for this event has been fairly typical, but the colder, darker evenings have definitely tested my discipline. Still, the moment I step outside, I’m reminded why I love this process so much.

Alongside preparing for this ultra-marathon, I’m also continuing my triathlon training, and each discipline strengthens the others. Bit by bit, session by session, it’s all coming together.

What was the toughest moment during the challenge, and how did you push through it?

The toughest part of any long-distance race is definitely the final 10%. Your body and mind are begging you to stop, yet deep down you know the regret would be far worse—you’re capable of so much more. My original plan was to push for the full 6 hours and aim for 55k, but after a bit of miscommunication and a foot injury that hit me on lap 7, I decided to sit down for a moment after lap 10… and once I sat down, there was no getting back up!

Even so, I’m genuinely proud of what I achieved. Finishing 30 miles in 5 hours 15 minutes is a massive PB for me. And although this course was less hilly—about 900m of elevation compared to the 1600m and 3300m ultras I’ve done before—I felt stronger, more controlled, and much more confident in my ability.

It just proves that consistency really does pay off.

 

Some of our projects often involve tackling complex problems under pressure… How do the qualities you relied on during the Dart Challenge translate to the skills needed to succeed in this industry?

I truly believe endurance sports, or any sport, for that matter, can have a powerful impact on succeeding in this industry. Beyond the obvious physical benefits, pushing yourself to your limits builds a level of mental resilience that carries straight into high-pressure situations at work. These intense challenges give you a perspective that nothing else can replicate.

I think everyone should take part in some form of sport. For me, it’s been a key factor in my day-to-day performance. In fact, I do some of my best problem-solving while running, biking, or swimming. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve found a solution or uncovered a better way forward mid-run. There’s something about movement that clears the mind and sharpens your thinking.

 

 

A huge well done to Reagan, and we cannot wait to be cheering him on at his next ultra-marathon!

If you’re looking for a career where your drive and determination matter as much as your technical skills, join us and help shape the future of engineering.

Visit our Career Hub and learn more about starting a career at Fairhurst

 

Reagan Elliott, Civil Engineering Technician, Taunton 

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