7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days

scotthayes · Apr 7, 2008

This has only ever been done once before, by Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Dr. Mike Stroud.

The difference is, Dave Heeley is blind.

He's finished the first one in the Falklands (accepted for the Antarctic leg) in 4:15 and has stated the South America leg in Rio.

Then it's LA for the North America leg, over to Sydney for the Australasia leg, followed by a really killer in Dubai for the Asia leg then Tunis for the Africa run and finishes off in London on Sunday in the London Marathon for the European leg.

If you are in one of the cities Dave is running give the guy a cheer and maybe sponsor him. He's trying to raise £100,000 for the guide dogs.

Blind Dave's website

tobefirst ⚽️ · Apr 7, 2008

I cursed the marathoners that were running in St. Louis yesterday morning for waking me up too early. (I was just a couple blocks from the starting line.) However, I will rescind my curse for this guy. I have a feeling he won't need my help to lose his toenails. I hope he's able to do it. That's quite the feat.

ucfgrad93 · Apr 7, 2008

Holy crap, that's 180 miles in 7 days. Better him than me, but I wish him well!

mogzieee · Apr 7, 2008

Wow! My credit to him totally! I'm surprised I haven't heard of this more.... he deserves £100,000,000 in sponsorship for guide dogs!

Kebabselector · Apr 7, 2008

mogzieee said:
Wow! My credit to him totally! I'm surprised I haven't heard of this more.

It's been on a local Birmingham website for a while. ITV Central have picked it up and are following him. No doubt the nationals will pick it up later in the week. Though a bit of website pimpage will help.

scotthayes · Apr 7, 2008

Kebabselector said:
It's been on a local Birmingham website for a while. ITV Central have picked it up and are following him. No doubt the nationals will pick it up later in the week. Though a bit of website pimpage will help.

I noticed the BBC Midlands Todays gave it some coverage last night.

It's two down five to go.

scotthayes · Apr 10, 2008

Well, it's now 4 down and 3 to go. He completed the Sydney leg today.

Oh and so far all do in under 5 hours, pretty impressive stuff...

MBHockey · Apr 10, 2008

It is really amazing what some people are capable of. This guy is the man.

Eraserhead · Apr 11, 2008

5 down, 2 to go.

Antares · Apr 11, 2008

Eraserhead said:
5 down, 2 to go.

Aww....you just killed the 7's....7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days..and 7 posts.

When I saw that, I didn't want to post. It was too perfect. Ah well. Anyway, this is very admirable. I don't know if I could even do one marathon, let alone 7 (and in 7 days no less!). Wow! How do you recover in that short of time?

dawnraid · Apr 11, 2008

wouldn't it be easier to climb Mt Everest?

scotthayes · Apr 12, 2008

dawnraid said:
wouldn't it be easier to climb Mt Everest?

Well more people have climbed Everest than have done this.

He's now done 5 of the seven after completing the Dubai one yesterday.

Just Tunis and then the big finish in London on Sunday

Abstract · Apr 12, 2008

Damn, anyone who can do this has the heart of a horse!

They are cheating with the Antarctica part of the trip, though. That doesn't take anything away from the achievement, but I was hoping for some photos of a guy in a parka, running with penguins.

scotthayes · Apr 12, 2008

It's 6 down and one to go now.

Think the penguins would have been a trip hazard

Abstract · Apr 12, 2008

Haha, yeah, they are probably quite slippery, especially if you step on one. "Yer slowin' me down, bitches!"

sushi · Apr 12, 2008

The Seven Cubed Club:
- Sir Ranulph Fiennes
- Dr. Mike Stroud

And soon to be Mr. Dave Heeley.

Awesome!

Abstract · Apr 12, 2008

He's no Terry Fox, though. He didn't do it on 7 continents, but come on......running a marathon for 143 days straight, on one good leg, is unbeatable.

scotthayes · Apr 12, 2008

sushi said:
The Seven Cubed Club:
- Sir Ranulph Fiennes
- Dr. Mike Stroud

And soon to be Mr. Dave Heeley.

Awesome!

And of course Mac Carr who is blind Dave's guide and running with him and tied together at the wrist.

Abstract said:
He's no Terry Fox, though. He didn't do it on 7 continents, but come on......running a marathon for 143 days straight, on one good leg, is unbeatable.

That is amazing, just shows what the human body can do.

sushi · Apr 12, 2008

scotthayes said:
And of course Mac Carr who is blind Dave's guide and running with him and tied together at the wrist.

You answered a question that I was going to look up.

I had wondered if it was the same person each time, or a different guide.

So yes, it's awesome for the both of them.

liketom · Apr 12, 2008

scotthayes said:
And of course Mac Carr who is blind Dave's guide and running with him and tied together at the wrist.

i was thinking - his dog would be tired running all that way.

Way to go - i'd have trouble doing 1

scotthayes · Apr 12, 2008

Kebabselector said:
It's been on a local Birmingham website for a while. ITV Central have picked it up and are following him. No doubt the nationals will pick it up later in the week. Though a bit of website pimpage will help.

Nice to see another Mac Rumors user name in the donation list.

He's only got to "Keep right on" for another 26 and a bit miles.

I'd say he's a dead cert. for the BBC Sports personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award this year.

Kebabselector · Apr 12, 2008

scotthayes said:
Nice to see another Mac Rumors user name in the donation list.

Had to me bit!

He's only got to "Keep right on" for another 26 and a bit miles.

Think Dave is more a boing boing man, but happy for him to 'Keep Right on'

iJohnHenry · Apr 12, 2008

scotthayes said:
And of course Mac Carr who is blind Dave's guide and running with him and tied together at the wrist.

How the hell would their wrists be anything but raw by now???

OllyW · Apr 12, 2008

Kebabselector said:
Think Dave is more a boing boing man, but happy for him to 'Keep Right on'

You're right, he's a Black Country lad. Pity he supports the Baggies though.

Hope it goes well for them tomorrow, it will a great achievement for the both of them.

iJohnHenry said:
How the hell would their wrists be anything but raw by now???

I don't think they are tightly bound together, just a strap to keep them close.

iJohnHenry · Apr 12, 2008

Sorry, I was thinking 3-legged race from Hell.

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