Next up: The Marathon Des Sables 2017....

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Success! Luke and Hazel completed the 8 day Cape Wrath 400km Ultra Marathon (from Fort William to Cape Wrath from 22nd to 29th May 2016) for Marie Curie and to help raise funds for the Great Daffodil Appeal. The BBC asked Luke to write an article on the race - which can be found here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-36425855

Below please find some info on Luke's Antarctic trip, Hazel's 5 day Ultra Marathon in Sweden and about the amazing charity, Marie Curie, for whom Luke acts as an ambassador.

Due South 2015

On January 13th 2016 at approximately 11pm (Chilean time), I became the youngest Brit and the first Scot and to ski solo, unassisted and unsupported to the South Pole, Antarctica. 

I skied 730 miles from Hercules inlet – at the very edge of the Antarctic continent – all the way to the South Pole without any drop offs or resupplies. Covering a distance further than from London to Barcelona completely solo and climbing from sea level to almost 3000m, I man-hauled all my equipment - which at its heaviest weighed over 130kgs - and I was completely self sufficient throughout. Temperatures reached as low as -70c and I encountered winds of 70mph during the 39 consecutive days of skiing. 

Despite gaining a significant amount of weight prior to the trip, I lost almost 30kgs in body weight over the course of the journey too, which meant I was pretty hungry and relieved to reach the Pole!

Having overcome serious medical issues (I have an artificial pacemaker and in 2014 underwent extensive brain surgery) to test myself in such an extreme environment, the aims of the trip were wide-ranging but primarily two-fold. 

These are to raise significant charitable funds for Marie Curie and to inspire others to conquer similar physical or mental challenges, to keep getting out the tent to achieve goals and dreams and surprise themselves at how far they can go!

230km Ice Ultra Marathon

Update: Hazel's done it! 

Starting on Friday 12^th Feb, Hazel ran 230km across mountains, frozen lakes and tundra, over 5 Stages in Lapland, Sweden. She successfully completed this remarkable race and is back safe and sound in chilly Scotland.

Some of the route was in trail shoes, whilst in other sections the snow was so deep that running on snowshoes was the only way to make progress! Even the snowmobiles got stuck!

The race is self-sufficient, meaning that competitors had
to carry all their own equipment, clothing and food for the entire journey. Temperatures reached about -26c!

I know how hard she trained for this while putting up with my Antarctica trip and it's an incredible effort from an incredible girl.

We've upped our target to an incredible £100k - thanks so much for all your support!

Marie Curie

Marie Curie is here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. It offers expert care, guidance and support to help them get the most from the time they have left.

I have seen firsthand the help Marie Curie provided to my family, when my uncle passed away in 2009 and also when I was diagnosed with a brain tumour myself, in 2014. 

Any support you might be able to give to this amazing charity is greatly appreciated.

Thank you! (Luke & Hazel)