Tom Crean must be turning in his grave. Only 90 years after the Kerry man participated in Scott's doomed expedition to the bottom of the world, the South Pole is about to be conquered by long-distance runners. The only consolation is that an Irishman will again be involved.
On January 8th, Richard Donovan lines out for the first South Pole marathon, a 26-mile race run at polar altitude (10,000 feet) in temperatures of minus 30 degrees, with a wind-chill factor. It being unprecedented, nobody knows how long the runners will take. The only certainty is that they may be gone for some time.
When Richard reaches the Pole, he plans to run another 8 kms voluntarily. This is because the race is only the first instalment in his attempt to run "ultra-marathons" on each of the seven continents during 2002. The last instalment will be a 35-mile run in his native Galway.
After Antarctica, he heads for New Zealand and a 100-mile race in February. April features the Marathon des Sables - six marathons in as many days in the Sahara Desert. Then it's Death Valley, California in July for a 135-mile run in temperatures that would fry an egg. August is the Inca Trail Marathon in Peru, and October will take him to the Himalayas for another 100-mile effort.
A 35-year-old economist, Richard is used to dealing with the unknown. Which may be useful at the South Pole, because his schedule didn't allow for altitude or snow training.
The challenge is designed to raise money for GOAL and the Galway Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Donations should go to the Seven Continents account at the Bank of Ireland, Salthill: account no. 45726438, sort code 90-38-40. Corporate sponsors are also welcomed.
