A FUNDRAISING champion has smashed a Guinness world record after completing 66 ultra marathons in 66 consecutive days – finishing his final leg in York.
North Yorkshire businessman Andy McMenemy marked his 50th birthday yesterday by completing the epic Challenge66 of running 50k – or 31.07 miles – in each of the UK’s 66 official cities.
In completing the 2,050 miles – the equivalent of running from York to the Sahara Desert in Morocco – Andy raised funds and awareness for ABF The Soldiers’ Fund, a charity celebrating its 66-year anniversary, which offers life-time support to soldiers and veterans, as well as their families.
He has raised £66,000 during Challenge66. His ultimate goal is to raise £1 million for the charity which supported his father, a former soldier, during his cancer battle.
After ABH representatives presented him with a birthday cake, Andy set off from at York Racecourse yesterday morning with resounding cheers from crowds who flocked to support him.
Some 200 soldiers from the 2 Signal Regiment, based at Fulford’s Imphal Barracks, joined him for part of the run, as did about 150 members of the public.
When he sprinted past the finish line Andy, of Harrogate, said he felt a mixture of “enormous relief, exhaustion and immense sense of pride”.
He said he wanted to mark the end of his task – and his birthday – by having a cold lager shandy following a strict alcohol ban throughout the challenge. He will be also celebrating with a party today.
He said: “I am mostly looking forward to getting in my own bed and having a lie-in with a coffee.”
He described his experience as “humbling” and sent a special thanks to the military, his family, his team of sports therapists and trainers and members of the public for their overwhelming support.
Andy, who started training more than a year ago, said there was never any doubt in his mind he would become a world record-breaker. The previous record for consecutive ultra-marathons was 52.
• To support Andy, donate online at Challenge66 or send a cheque to “Challenge66” to Project Office, Challenge66, 104 Station Parade, Harrogate, HG1 1HQ.
Marathon man
HE’S run 66 marathons in 66 days, raised thousands of pounds for charity, and smashed a Guinness world record in the process.
So now, after completing the final leg of his epic run right here in York, businessman Andy McMenemy can be forgiven for wanting to put his feet up a bit.
He swore off alcohol throughout the 66 gruelling days of his challenge, during which he ran more than 2,000 miles. As he sprinted past the finish line yesterday, on his 50th birthday, he said he felt a mixture of relief, exhaustion and immense pride. And then he added that he was looking forward to celebrating with a cold lager shandy.
It may be the hardest-earned shandy you ever have, Andy. So enjoy. You deserve it.
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