Rugby League player cycles for 30 hours for charity

Halifax born professional rugby league player, Paige Costello, completed a grueling 30 hour continuous static bike ride, in a bid to raise vital funds for Rugby League Cares and the MND Association.
Paige Costello.Paige Costello.
Paige Costello.

Around 20 current and retired rugby league players, including Keith Senior and Wayne Godwin, joined Paige in braving the challenge, breaking the world record for the longest static bike ride.

The 30 hour ride began on Saturday May 30 at 6.30am and finished at 12.30pm the following afternoon.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Collectively, the group managed to raise around £30,000 for Rugby League Cares and MND Association.

Rugby League Cares helps current and retired players maintain their physical and mental health.

MND Association helps those that are affected by Motor Neuron Disease. Last year Leeds Rhinos star Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the condition.

During her epic ride, Paige, who runs Costello Training and Nutrition in Halifax, cycled over 400 miles, burning 11,000 calories in the process.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 25 year old Wigan Warriors player said: “When I hit the twenty hour point I could hardly move my body and was peddling so slowly.

“Some of the lads that did it with me had been training pretty hard for the event, but I hadn’t done any training and my bike only arrived two days before the ride.”

On the Thursday before the fundraiser, Paige fueled her body by carb-loading and gained six pounds. By the time she had completed the 30 hour cycle, she lost all six pounds.

“I had to eat a lot before doing the ride and it made my stomach feel awful. It was really difficult because once I had started, I couldn’t stop and take a break,” she said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Paige’s Wigan Warriors team mates cheered her on via Zoom, keeping her spirits high with a pub quiz and a game of Countdown.

“The girls were great, they all took the time to talk to me and cheer me on. Their support definitely helped me get through it.”

To donate to Paige’s fundraiser, visit: //www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paige-costello1