On Sunday 27th September Simon Barnes began his 16 day run from John O’Groats all the way to Lands End. This massive feat will see Simon running 871 miles in just over two weeks! That’s an average of 55 miles a day – more than two marathons per day!
Simon is attempting this challenge in order to raise some much needed funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre. He also hopes to be able to boost awareness about the disease and the work of the MSRC by doing this run. Simon will be running this staggering distance in the colours of Higgy’s Heroes – a fundraising group for the MS Resource Centre named after patron of MSRC, Alastair Hignell (former English rugby union international, cricketer and BBC reporter).
We caught up with Simon before he left, to have a quick chat about this incredible challenge.
Hi Simon! What first made you decide to take on this incredible run from John O’Groats to Lands End? Do people think you are slightly crazy to be attempting it?
Firstly, I like a challenge, it’s that simple, but then I have wanted to do some fundraising for several years now and realised I had to do something pretty special to get attention for donations. Yes, some think I am mad to start with and then I tell them what’s involved, which only really confirms their initial suspicions.
How have you adapted your diet and training in preparation for the run?
I have been training for this for nearly a year now, just kept it quiet. In terms of diet a good healthy balanced one is always pursued, but as I run more mileage the quantities increase to 5000 calories a day, but during the event this could be as high as 8 or 9000 per day. That’s a lot of food!!
You are planning to run over two marathons every day for 16 days. Is there any particular day of the challenge that is going to be especially hard?
I think after about 3 days the muscle fatigue will be very severe, but this is where mental strength kicks in for the next 2 weeks. I imagine any day where there are long stretches of quiet roads will be hard.
Can you tell us why you chose to fundraise for the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre and a bit about the work that they do improving life for sufferers of MS?
Multiple Sclerosis is an illness that is relatively unknown, it has no specific cause and no cure. There are no happy survival stories with MS, so it’s vital to raise money for the resource centre which offers someone with MS, advice, counselling to deal with MS and also to help find alternative treatment options, so they can choose how to best live the rest of their life, however long/short that might be.
How has JustGiving helped you with your fundraising?
JustGiving makes it hassle free for people to donate, which means they are more likely to do so. So thanks to you, JustGiving for your help.
How will you celebrate when you reach your final destination at Lands End?
To be perfectly honest, I am not sure I will be able to do anything, but a cup of tea stood under the famous signpost I could probably manage. It’s my 40th birthday on the following Wednesday so I intend to celebrate then once I can feel my legs again.
Thanks for chatting with us Simon! You can follow Simon right now on Twitter here, keep up to speed with his run by visiting his blog here, and see his JG page here.
Tags: John O'Groats to Lands End, msrc, Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre
