‘Fab Four’ challenge P&O Cruises flagship in charity race first

A team of Carnival UK colleagues is in training for an ambitious charity race against P&O Cruises flagship, Britannia, as part of the ship’s 10th anniversary celebrations.

‘Beat Britannia’ is the brainchild of Carnival UK’s Youth Operations Manager, Mark Price, a keen runner who wanted to raise money for P&O Cruises charity partner of choice, Teenage Cancer Trust, and Carnival UK’s charity partner, Saints Foundation, which is the official charity of P&O Cruises new brand partner, Southampton Football Club.

The challenge will start on Sunday 15 June as Britannia, carrying over 3,000 guests, visits Liverpool as part of her 10-Year Anniversary Celebration voyage. Mark will be joined by Nicola Robinson, Riding Teams Superintendent; Sam Cox, Hotel Operations Manager; and Martin Dove, Director with Maritime Fleet Technical Operations, to race the ship back to her home port of Southampton.

Dubbed the ‘Fab Four’, Mark, Nicola, Sam and Martin will be running in relay blocks of around 15 miles each day to complete the 230-mile test of endurance and determination against the 143,000 tonne, 84,000 horsepower liner. 

Mark said: “This challenge started out as a vision of being able to test myself mentally and physically, running alongside friends and colleagues, and finding a way to do this to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust and Saints Foundation. Now, my small idea has become reality, and we’ll soon be putting our training into action. 

“It’s great to be able to align this challenge with Britannia’s 10-year anniversary cruise and to celebrate such an amazing milestone for our flagship and her incredible crew.”