Select a region
A Jersey man is attempting to run 3000 metres above sea level up the tallest free-standing mountain in the world next year to help his childhood friend and other Islanders living with brain injuries.
Harry Maclinden has run marathons and ultra marathons to raise money for Headway Jersey but running up and down Mount Kilimanjaro in under 24 hours in February will be his most physically demanding challenge yet considering it takes most climbers six days!
Harry met up with his old friend Frank MacFarlane back in 2010 when he was running the London Marathon and has been a supporter and volunteer for Headway ever since and has raised more than £6,000 for the charity.
He said he likes to undertake challenges most would think are near impossible because many of Headway Jersey’s members face massive challenges everyday living with a brain injury.
He's now busy training, putting in around 25 hours a week and running 26 miles along the cliff paths at the weekends.
To help kickstart Harry’s latest fundraising efforts his training partner Digby Ellis-Brecknell is organising a Demon Night Run on Friday night - a trail race through Grève de L’ecq woods in the pitch black.
Digby said: “I like running through the night, it’s quite exciting, it’s quite unnerving and scary if you haven’t run at night.”
30 people have already signed up for the run that will be about three or four miles long and Digby hopes most people will run the course in pairs.
He said: “They are less likely to get lost with two pairs of eyes! It’s a challenge, it’s going to be fun, probably very muddy, they’ll probably get a little bit scared, hopefully they won’t get lost. There will be prizes for the first runners, soup and chips and it’s all to support Harry and Headway.”
If the race proves popular he hopes to build it up and turn it into an even bigger and scarier event.
If you want to take part all the runners are meeting in the Tower car park at Grève de L’ecq from 6 pm on Friday and you can enter the race here: www.hareandtortoiseevents.co.uk
There’s a just giving page for anyone who would like to make an online donation to support Harry with his ambitious challenge - www.justgiving.com/Harry-Mc-Alinden2.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.