Hello Woodies!!
We have been contacted by an old Woodstock member who is part of an amazing challenge, and is looking for help from likeminded runners (and riders). He is attempting the World Marathon Challenge, known as the 7x7x7, 7 marathons in 7 countries in 7 days and is arriving for the final leg in Sydney very shortly and needs help.
Please read his note below for details:
Hi
I’m contacting a random group of ‘marathon friends’ to see if you and/or any of your running friends are available to help with a slightly odd event in mid January. It’s the World Marathon Challenge and there’s more details here http://www.worldmarathonchallenge.com/
It’s organised by Richard Donovan, an Irish friend, who has himself completed the 7x7x7 twice. That’s 7 marathons on 7 continents in less than 7 days. On his most recent attempt in 2012, he completed the set of marathons in 4 days 22 hours 3 minutes. Attached is a photo of Richard approaching the finish line on Botany Bay.
This time Richard is the organiser and he has accepted entries from 12 runners. So, instead of looking after just Richard as we (a small team comprising Fran, Steve Poulton, Bruce Abrahams and myself) did in 2012, we have 12 runners to look after. This becomes slightly more challenging and, as a minimum, I am seeking 12 runners who are prepared to cycle with a runner and ensure he/she remains on course and safe.
The Sydney leg will be the final marathon, and the timing is uncertain. It all depends on what time they get underway in Antarctica – they may have just a few hours to complete the Sydney marathon or they may have up to 20 hours! I should be able to confirm the start time once they are underway in Antarctica. At this stage I’m planning on getting the race underway as soon as possible after they arrive. Their flight is due into Sydney on Thursday night 22 January at around 8.30pm, although if there are delays in Antarctica, they will arrive on the same flight on Friday night. So it’s possible they could be at the start line by 10pm Thursday – that depends on whether they want to check into their hotel before tackling the marathon. Personally I think they will be better off running during the night rather than risk waiting until the next morning and being greeted with a scorching hot summer day.
On previous occasions Richard has used a course along cycle paths on Botany Bay – 7km out and back done three times. This time we want a more Sydney based course with an iconic finish so I’ve proposed approximately five laps of the Bay Run followed by a run to the Opera House. I did a test ride on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning – although there’s a couple of dark spots, the lighting is reasonable. And the run from the Iron Cove Bridge over the Anzac and Pyrmont Bridges, along Hickson Rd and under the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Opera House is a spectacular way to finish a 7x7x7, particularly if the sun is coming up. But nobody will find their way without the help of individual cyclists – there’s no plan for the 12 runners to run as a group. In fact, it is a race with the winner being the person with the lowest aggregate time over the 7 races.
Anyway, enough background. Please let me know if you’re interested in helping. This could be a fun night/day around 22-23-24 January. I appreciate if you have to work on Friday 24th this is not going to be feasible but if you’re on holidays or have plenty of flexibility at work, come along as spending a few hours (OK, it might take some of them 6+ hours given they’re at the end of their schedule) with runners who do such weird things is always a joy and leads to making new friends for life.
I may also need some help with mini bus transport, etc. as I anticipate we’ll meet the group at the airport and possibly take them straight to the start. Hopefully they’ll book a hotel near Circular Quay so getting to their accommodation after the race will be relatively easy.
Regards
Dave Cundy
Cundy Sports Marketing
Ph: +61 2 43427611
