Blind Dave reveals tough schedule
Blind marathon runner Dave Heeley, currently gearing up for the start of his seven-continent marathon challenge, has outlined the gruelling schedule for the most exhausting week of his life.
Blind marathon runner Dave Heeley, currently gearing up for the start of his seven-continent marathon challenge, has outlined the gruelling schedule for the most exhausting week of his life.
Dave and his running partner Malcolm Carr, known as Mac, departed from the UK on Sunday and are now preparing for the challenge in Rio De Janeiro.
On Saturday, he will leave Rio and arrive in the Falkland Islands in Antarctica and on Sunday start of the first leg of the race.
At one minute past 8pm local time on Sunday – one minute past midnight on Monday morning here in the UK – he begins the first leg in Mount Pleasant.
He is due to finish at 12.30am local time (4.30am GMT) on Monday.
He will leave the Falklands for Rio De Janeiro in South America to start the second leg at 9.30am local time on Monday, due to finish at 2pm.
The first two marathons will be completed on April 7 to compensate for a day lost crossing the International Date Line on Wednesday, April 9, between LA and Sydney.
On Tuesday, April 8, he will arrive in Los Angeles, North America, and will start his third race at 11am local time, ending at 3.30pm.
Due to the day lost by crossing the date line, the next race will be on Thursday, April 10, in Sydney, Australia.
He starts this race at 9am local time and will complete the race at 2pm. On Friday April 11 he will arrive in Dubai, Asia, starting the fifth leg of his challenge at 8am local time in Safa park.
He aims to complete the race at 1pm local time before flying out to Tunis in Africa.
On Saturday April 12 he will start the sixth race, at 8am in Korba, finishing at 1pm.
He will arrive back in England at Gatwick airport on Sunday April 13 when he will start the seventh and final leg at 9.45 am.
If all goes to plan he will be running his way into the record books when he crosses the line at 3pm – as the first blind person to run seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days.
In all, he will have spent a total of 35 hours and 30 minutes in Antarctica; nine hours in South America; 14hr 50min in North America; 15hr 5min in Australia; 11hr 25min in Asia; and 20hr 30min in Africa.
Dave will also share the start of his record-breaking challenge with family and friends back home, thanks to a live satellite link-up.
About 80 supporters will gather on Sunday night and into the early hours of Monday to watch the father-of-three known as Blind Dave kick off his challenge.
The private launch party at The Hawthorns will be attended by family, friends and other well-wishers.
Dave's wife Debbie will be hosting the special celebrations.
To donate, visit www.7mm.org.uk or track Dave's progress in the Express & Star and here at www.expressandstar.com
