Fantastic effort from our very own Andy Davies. Please take a read of what he spent last week doing 🙌
On Monday I began my attempt at the 2024 Dragon's Back Race to raise funds for Lloyd Jackson, our friend & colleague who was tragically diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease last year. Having only ran single day events in the past this was a journey into the unknown to attempt to run the 236 mile route across the Welsh mountains. Weather and terrain was treacherous on Day 1 with poor visibility adding a layer of navigational complexity. After nearly 16 hours on course I made it to camp, just 5 minutes before evening cut-off. With less than 4 hours of broken sleep, Day 2 was always going to be a major challenge and I'm sad to say I timed out before last cut-off. Needless to say I was devastated! The overwhelming feeling that I was letting the people down who had supported me was hard to take in the moment. However, being out of the race didn't mean I was out of the event and the task was then to keep going and simply get to Cardiff by Saturday (Day 6) running as much of the route as I was able. Nausea set in through Days 3 to 6 and apart from a light breakfast and soup in the evening I had to more or less run on empty. Over the 6 days I found my limit, something I had never experienced on a single day event. Without a doubt it has been the hardest thing I have ever done both mentally and physically. For those few starters who completed the full course they have my utmost respect - it was a challenge way beyond my limits. By the time I arrived in Cardiff yesterday, with a stress fracture to my fibula I had covered over 150 miles of the route and 37,000 feet of ascent. I had also had time to reflect and make my peace with what I was able to achieve. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me on this challenge and donated to Motor Neurone Disease Association. Just in the stoic way that Lloyd and his family have dealt with his condition, the support has been humbling and inspirational. These vital funds really can help to improve the lives of people like Lloyd battling with MND so for anyone who would still like to donate please see the link to my Just Giving page below.