Reckless? Possibly – But all for a Great Cause!

You asked for stories .... so here goes .....

Thank you so much to Tattenhall Online for previously posting details of the 'Elephant Trail Run' which I was to run earlier this month CLICK HERE.

I chuckled at your earlier article title 'Mad Dogs and Englishmen' – Well read on.

• What was it? A non-stop 100 mile (that's 160kms) run in the bush and mountains over 37 hours max, 18,000 feet of climb and at least 3 river crossings
• Where was it? Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa
• The Story It was just a year ago that I first attempted the Addo 100 Mile Ultra to raise funds for Chester Zoo and their elephant research. Last year's attempt had so nearly worked BUT 100km in and I had 'to pull' as my IT band finally gave up (to non-runners that means I could barely walk). Regular physio, a missed running season, and with 10 weekly winter marathons under my belt, I found myself back at the start line, reasonably optimistic and contemplating what 2018 would throw at me.
• DAY 1 Uncharacteristically wet and misty conditions greeted us but the forecast was promising with heat for the following day. HOWEVER – after just 20km my optimism began to wane due a to a 'signage gift' from the organisers! Approximately 1/3rd of the field, including me, followed the wrong trail. Completely unbeknown to us is that another trail organiser had used identical signage! I swiftly realised something was seriously wrong, turned back and decided to use my GPS to take a more "direct" line through thorn-bush, back to the trail. I repeat, DO NOT TRY THIS! I was cut to shreds but on reflection I should have given rather more consideration to the snakes! And, now the discovery that my tracker wasn't working (could it get any worse). We are all equipped with satellite trackers so that we can be located if necessary – terrific idea if the technology doesn't let you down. Regrettably, with darkness coming in, the only sensible thing to do was 'to pull' rather than run into the bush un-tracked and bleeding. At the end of Day 1, therefore, I was back at Base Camp (oh dear).
• DAY 2 Following this catalogue of errors, I was offered the chance to start the 76kms consolation race! Just 6 hours later, with only 3 hours of sleep and having attempted to deal with my shredded flesh, I found myself back on the road again. This 'consolation race' started, continued and finished well – an amazing day of running the African mountains. Several river crossings later, much sun and quite breath-taking views – I finally finished some 14 hours later. Crossing the face of a 300ft cliff on a game path in the dark was nerve-racking to say the least. An amazing event in an amazing place.
• Achievements £3000 raised for the elephants over the last 2 years so far – if you feel that you still wish to donate then CLICK HERE. A total of 100km covered And, this time, no longer-term damage

Thanks, of course, to all who sponsored me and also the the on-location support (aka my long suffering wife Kate).

Guess I'll just have to go back next year to tick the 100 mile box ... entries open in a couple of weeks if anyone is interested???