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MND24 100 Mile Challenge

By Martin Dewhurst

MND24 100 Mile Challenge

In 2022 I ran 365 days straight for a total of 2022km.

 

However in 2023, rather than running the whole year I'll be focusing on just one day.

 

Just 24 hours.

 

Because as part of MND24 I will be running 100 miles in 24 hours to raise awareness and vital funds for Motor Neuron Disease.

 

Starting out at 18:00 on March 24th I'll begin by running a 4.2 mile (6.7km) loop in Hunters Hill, Sydney, and then repeat that loop hourly to reach my goal of 100 miles (160km) within 24 hours. The MND24 100 Mile Challenge follows the "Backyard Ultra" format so each loop will begin exactly one hour after the previous one which allows for any time between the end of one loop and the start of the next for refuelling, hydrating or stretching.

 

MND24 is a challenge started by Sandy Stirling and is open to individuals and teams to take part in their chosen sport or activity anywhere in the world for a total of 24 hours to raise funds to support research into MND across the month of March.

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Event Information

Friday 24th March 18:00 - 18:00

My Updates

We Did It!

Thursday 30th Mar
Firstly, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who donated and supported me in the MND24 100 Mile Challenge which I completed on Saturday; and a special thanks to the people who came along to crew, pace or provide much needed encouragement on Saturday as the clock ticked down. 

After starting out at 18:00 on Friday night I was on pace and hitting the target of 50-52 minutes for each 6.7km (4.2mile) loop for about 10 hours and then began to slow slightly. I had a slightly longer break at 06:00 on Saturday as fatigue and lack of nutrition had set in but the sun coming up gave me some energy and I got going again. This was short lived and the fatigue coupled with a swollen right ankle meant I was running less and walking more and this meant I wouldn't hit my 100 Mile goal until close to midnight; well outside my target of 24 hours. 

I kept pushing on but when the pain in my ankle got too much at 125km (80 miles) I took the decision to ride my bike for the remaining 36km (20 miles). However this was not an easy task as I had slipped well behind schedule so had to push right to the very end but managed to finish the 161km (100 miles) in 23 hours 55 minutes.

Two Miles of Mobility

Sunday 19th Mar
As my training has built up the aim has been to match that load with an equal amount of recovery work. The reason for this is twofold; to give my body an opportunity to adapt to the additional stress and maintain good movement in my joints.

This worked up to a point however I've still ended up with my common problem of tightness in my hip flexors.

I've been trying to resolve this ahead of Friday with a range of strength and mobility workouts and this morning that included a two mile (3.2km) walk interspersed with stretches, lunges and all sorts of movements aimed at opening up my hips and releasing some of the tension.

I definitely felt better afterwards and given there's not much benefit in any more running so close to the event hip mobility will be my focus for the next 6 days...

The National Triangle

Wednesday 8th Feb
For this morning's run I headed down Commonwealth Avenue in Canberra, went around Parliament House, up Kings Avenue then back along Constitution Avenue to complete 'The National Triangle'.

It's called this as each corner of the triangle represents a key part of Australian democracy; Parliament House (the seat of the government), the Defence Headquarters at Russell and City Hill (representing the people). 

After running around Lake Burley Griffin last week it was nice to run on the bridges over it for a change.

I was still tired from last Friday's effort earlier in the week but have started getting back to normal. The plan this week is to still take it easy to continue my recovery ready to begin building the distance up again next week. 

MND24 Practice Session

Monday 6th Feb
So on Friday night I ran 6 loops of the 6.7km course to not only get some kilometres in but to also practice the transitions between the loops.

These are important because to run 100 miles you need about 15,000 calories so your eating is just as important as your running!

In longer races, like most people, I use gels but these sometimes upset my stomach so part of Friday's run was to test out different foods and drinks to see what might work.

Whilst I did use some gels I also tried bananas, hot chips, ginger beer, electrolyte tablets and even some Betty Crocker's chocolate frosting!

I started out at 18:00 which is the time I'll be setting off on March 24th and things went well with me completing each loop in around 50 minutes. That 10 minute buffer in-between allowed me time to eat, drink and get a short rest before heading out again.

It gave me some good pointers about how I should be setting things up on the day and with completing a quarter of the distance it gave me confidence towards  completing the challenge.

Having run around 90km last week my plan now is to take it easy for a few days with some shorter runs before building up to another practice session towards the end of February.

Lake Burley Griffin Western Basin

Thursday 26th Jan
After completing the Eastern side of Lake Burley Griffin last week I ran the western basin on Wednesday morning. I took a wrong turn into Weston park and although it added a few extra kms to the run it was worth it to see the sunrise from that peninsula.

Thank you to my Sponsors

$50

Andy & Fee

A HUGE congratulations on your achievement Marty, you’re an inspiration!!

$105.50

Daniel Hall

Great Work Martin

$50

Margaret, Peter, Annamaria And Joseph

We all think you are amazing!

$200

Daniel White

Hey Martin! Congrats and great work. something to be proud of for years to come. So whats next? :)

$105.50

Paul Geehan

Awesome effort Martin - huge!! Well done, it's a great cause too!!

$50

Natalie & Steve Wren

Fantastic achievement Martin!!

$84.40

Marilla Dann

Big congrats on an amazing effort to achieve 100 miles in 24 hours. Focussed and completed 👏🏻

$52.75

Abbas Ali

Congrats Marty. You are simply incredible

$26.38

Elijah Delnido

You’re an inspiration to us all! Fantastic cause and a run to go down in history. Amazing work!!

$50

Amelia Delnido

What an amazing achievement! Go Marty, you got this! Love Millie xx

$52.75

Justine Kinch

Was great to share some miles with you Martin. Truly inspiring.

$211

Alex Malley

Martin you are a legend - wonderful cause mate congrats

$105.50

Neil Munro

$105.50

Billy Harkin

Amazing Challenge Martin. Go well my friend. Very inspirational.

$52.75

Greg Mazalo

Awesome job Martin, you're an inspiration to many, go hard and good luck.

$105.50

Michael Mcdermid

Love your work Marty

$52.75

Anonymous

$52.75

Bernadette Vanderhoek

Good Luck Marty 🙏

$100

Andrew Svoboda

$105.50

Mark Peterie

Great stuff mate. Will we see you in the Preston kit for a loop or two?

$211

Id Planning

For all the good reasons

$54.86

Graham Borthwick

Go strong Martin!

$211

Ted & Sheila Dewhurst

Good Luck Martin love Mum & Dad x

$52.75

Jan Taylor

$52.75

Fiona Greenland

$105.50

Feldhausen Family

All the best Martin

$25

Paola Lonchampt

Good luck Martin!!!

$21.10

Anonymous

Thank you

$105.50

Ben De Wit

Great job Martin Pain is temporary, achievement is forever!

$50

Melissa & Alex Delnido

Best wishes for a great run xx

$52.75

Mike Henry

Well done Martin!

$26.38

Marc Jenkins

$79.13

Ben H

Go hard Martin

$26.38

Isabella Dewhurst

SO so proud of you dad!! I know you will smash it!! Missing you always <3 lots of love from issy xxx

$200

Joan & Ross Mcdermid

Marty is generous with his time. We’re past running, so we gladly sponsor you.

$50

Jasmine And Nash

Hi Martin, what a goal - we know you’ll ace it. Such a great cause. All the best with your run, Jas & Nash

$5

Anonymous

$26.38

Alice Mayes

Let’s go Martin!!!

$105.50

Anonymous

$26.38

Simon Dodge

Good luck Martin..... Great Cause to support.

$100

Stephen Lindsay

What an effort- impressive. Good luck on the day.

$52.75

Danielle Kirby

You are a superstar - good luck!

$10.55

Charlotte Dewhurst

Although I won’t be there physically, I’m there in spirit, you got this🙌🏼🙌🏼

$52.75

Aaron Moore

Well done Martin, an amazing effort and great cause!

$105.50

Robbie Williams

You got this Martin. Keep going even when you can't feel your legs anymore ;)

$79.13

Kieran Minto

Good luck Martin, a great cause to support! Hopefully we can run again soon whether that be in Canberra or Sydney.

$105.50

Catherine & Kev Morley

Go smash it!!

$26.38

Anonymous

$105.50

Jon Cheesmond

Hey Martin, Thanks for sharing this on Linked In such a great cause. In April 2018 my parents came put to Aus for the Commonwealth Games, and we did a few bush walks. On one walk, she was struggling and felt it was harder than she thought it should be. By July, we knew something was seriously wrong and in early October, we got the diagnosis. My mum died in Oct of 2019 at the age of 69. A great cause I hope you smash it.

$100

Mark Skelton

Best of luck - great thing that you are doing

$50

Josh Delnido

Let's go!

$105.50

2b Limitless

The 2b Limitless Team is proud to support this great cause!

$105.50

Mick Todd

Congratulations Martin - Well done mate!

$52.75

Nigel O’neill

Well done Martin, this is a terrific cause and you’re so amazing for taking on this challenge!

$52.75

Doug

Martin, good luck with the challenge, no doubt your 2022 training will put you in good stead.

$52.75

Anonymous

Very inspiring Martin! Amazing effort.

$10.55

Anonymous

$60

Paul Boyle

Great Initiative Martin, all the best with the Run!

$52.75

Con Vavoulas

Good Luck Martin. Meet you at the Civic afterwards........

$211

Jamie Middleditch

Great cause, great bloke! Outstanding performance. Go Mart.

$105.50

Id Planning

Love your (running) work and goals

$105.50

Martin Dewhurst

Let's get the ball rolling