Here’s the first of many reports from Alex Flynn and Richard Merry – two of our friends who are doing something extraordinary…
Alex - looking for the next challenge
Alex and I plan to race 10 Million Metres with Polaroid’s excellent sports sunglasses, and in doing so, we aim raise over £1m for Cure Parkinsons Trust. But first a little background as to why we are doing this…..
In 2008 Alex was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, at the age of 36 and being married to a fantastic wife and father of two active boys, as well as a tough, focused and determined adventure racer, he decided, with me (his Nagger- and friend whosejob it is to keep him running even when his body says no), to make change happen; instead of sitting and accepting his diagnosis.
We now intend to run 10 Million Metres (almost 6500 Miles) before December 2014 and complete some of the toughest and nastiest races on the planet. Crossing all types of terrain and achieving the distance, not by the miles and miles of training runs but by the races we enter. Both Alex and I have completed a multitude of races including, but not limited to the Ridgeway85, Marathon des Sables (Alex being the first Parkinson’s sufferer to have completed the 7 day, 250km Saharan race in temperatures of over 140 degrees Fahrenheit), and one or both of us of will complete the Grand Union 145 (a grueling 145 mile single stage race) this month!!
But there are many other races and a few triathlons still to come over the next few years and once the Grand Union race is over we will report back on the experience and let you know more of our future plans to raise the £1 million!
Polaroid are supporting our 10 Million Metre challenge, which we think is amazing! Along with a number of clothing manufacturers including Buffwear, Orca and X-Bionic (although we are still looking for a shoe supplier), we are confident in the equipment we have for the many races ahead.
Additionally. We have been asked by Polaroid and our other sponsors to share our stories and experiences while using their products.If you need training tips and advice we are happy to provide it and hope that you can use it in some way or other to help you with your sporting needs.
Please feel free to contact us (richard.merry@rocketmail.com or alexflynn@yahoo.com, or visit our web-sites (www.alexflynn.co.uk/ and http://richardmerry.blogspot.com), to see more about what we are doing and join our support group on Facebook (www.facebook.com/10MillionMetres), and sponsor us (www.justgiving.com/alex-flynn) we both look forward to chatting with you and helping you meet your goals as we meet ours.
Until next time – Keep Moving!!!
Rich Merry
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