Departing 7.00am from Pure Gym on Leander Way in Bristol tomorrow, ultra-runner Adam Holland will pass the 500-mile mark on the ten-day, 1,000km Kenya Peace Torch Relay having completed 800km (497 miles) by tonight.
Members of the public are joining Adam for 10km segments of the relay, signing up via www.run4peace.co.uk/join.
Adam is the only athlete running all 1000km of the relay, which is raising funds to help the Aegis Trust save lives through peace-building education in northern Kenya. Since 2014, ethnic violence has left over 600 people dead and driven over 435,000 from their homes in the region, birthplace to some of the World’s greatest distance runners.
Bristol’s own running legend, Ben Smith – who just completed 401 marathons in 401 days – has said he wishes he could join, but is away at present. “Massive good luck”, he tweeted yesterday. “Such a worthy cause.”
“If you can imagine, parts of my legs are a little sore,” says Adam, ever the master of understatement. “Going to keep going: I’m doing this to try and help make a difference.”
He doesn’t plan on stopping when the relay ends, either. His next two challenges – all for the cause of peace in Kenya – will be an attempt on the course record for the World’s toughest 5 marathons in 5 days, followed by an attempt to reclaim the World Record for the fastest 10 Marathons in 10 days. The three challenges together come to over 1,000 miles.
“The public’s support really does motivate me when the going gets tough,” he says. “Please keep the sponsorship coming!”
To support Adam Holland, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/magic10days
