Land Rover employee takes on Mont-Blanc in aid of Juvenile Diabetes
In an astonishing feat of endurance, intrepid Jaguar and Land Rover engineer, David Waide has run for over 28 hours, covered 103 miles, and climbed 30,000 feet around Mont-Blanc in aid of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). David, aged 50, set off with 2200 other competitors from over 40 countries on 24 August to participate in this unique event in the sport of ‘ultra running’. It started in Chamonix in France and passed through Courmayer in Italy and Champex in Switzerland before returning to Chamonix.
Following the challenge, David said: “I have been competing in mountain running for 10 years now and training six days a week, with one 20 mile cross-country run per week in preparation for this ultimate challenge but completing this course was the hardest physical challenge I have ever taken on. I had issues with hydration and needed to stop for an hour to receive medical attention so didn’t quite complete the race in my 25 hour target. Maybe next time!”
In spite of David’s hurdles, he finished a remarkable 73rd out of 2200, came fourth in his age group and was the third Briton to finish out of 92. He completed the event in the honourable time of 28 hours and 30 minutes.
With help from David’s friends, family and colleagues at Jaguar and Land Rover, he is well on the way to his fundraising target of £2,000.
JDRF is dedicated to funding research to find a cure for type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, which strikes children suddenly, makes them insulin-dependent for life and carries the constant threat of devastating complications.
For more information on how to sponsor David, click on www.justgiving.com/davidwaide.
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