Panic - Can we do it?

It's brilliant you've raised ~25,000 euro for charity, Tony, just as it's brilliant they're attempting this feat, for whatever reasons - if they don't make it, they don't, I think anything anyone else says is out the equation now - and now I must away to make some mars bar & pear cupcakes I've just invented... see, I too am achieving things this evening!

I don't think so. If we are honest a challenge is selected because we have a strong desire to attempt it. Then a charity is approached as we feel it is a great opportunity to raise cash for the charity and raise awareness for their work.
Did someone not say he was heartbroken when he discovered Richard had done it?

ABC have been stirring it just like a tabloid would. They are not topping him as he did it in 5 days and 10 hours.Why did they say 7 days?And why was the reporter not corrected?

I have raised about 25,000 euro over the years for charities. A very close friend and his wife have raised over a million in addition to countless others I know that don't like to make a 'song and dance' about it.
Charities don't just agree to anything they also require transparency...
You got to sort out the run first and then talk about the charity..
Its easy... Everyone will be happy when they put all their run times up on their site. Why the delay? Have they been recorded? BTW 50km is 31 miles and a few yards, not 30 miles.

Well you got that wrong emilicon.

I would say patience and you say stubborn. Without patience you can never be an ultra runner - but yes a bit of stubbornness is an asset too!
We are fiercely competitive but compete with honor and high morals. Just like in a 10k or marathon you will always get those who are only interested in a personal best or personal record as you say or just finishing. At the elite end it is as competitive as any race or discipline. For most its not necessarily about the achievement or finishing, as we know we can do it. Just finishing an event is not a big deal, thats expected.
The big deal is how you perform - did you get the distance or time you were looking for,set a record or win the race.

If you want this run to be taken seriously the 4 of these runners each need to put up their run times for each of their stages as soon as possible. This is putting a huge question mark over the whole challenge and is a total unnecessary omission. This is the first question every ultra runner asks.
Good luck and well done so far but please heed all the questions that are being asked.It's easier to address these now rather than later.Tony Mangan.

As I see it, characteristics of endurance athletes that make it through to the other side are stubborness and an ability to rationally assess all aspects and so prepare accordingly... it's such a fantastic cause and I'm sure now you're in the zone you're not thinking of any detractors and are focused on the end goal (I've only ever found fellow endurance athletes wonderfully supportive - competitiveness seems to be more characteristic of short-distance events, most who do long-distance events seem to be motivated for the achievement, not beating anyone except themselves) ...

Keep on keepin' on and just think of that fantastic endorphin rush at the end when you achieve this!

If you get any time in between the events, take a look at this great story of Cliff Young - worst-case-scenario you can always adopt the 'Young shuffe' to make it through -
http://www.coolrunning.com.au/ultra/1997032.shtml

I wish the lads the very best of luck with their challenge but as an ultra runner who has traveled all over the world I can assure you all we are the most welcoming community you will meet anywhere. In the past we have had many people making false claims and like any sport we cannot have people making a mockery of our sport.
I personally know of 2 challenges which have been ruined for all other future attemptees by outlandish claims which have escaped the scrutineers. This has happened to me when someone cheated me out of a record but I got it back after 4 years. Believe me the lads don't want this to happen to themselves either.
We just like to get things sorted out in advance. Transparency is key to us! There is nothing we love better than a challenge like this. I am sure I am speaking for almost all ultra runners when I say we would offer any help or assistance possible. I know Richard personally and am aware he has been advising the crew since last September.
Helping our rivals is the norm for us ultra runners. For example it is normal for a rival who is planning to break one of our own records to email us for advice on how we did it! We will invariably spend hours doing research and if possible even physically help them. We help our biggest rivals in a race and even share our food and crew with those in trouble.
We go to races in a foreign country and invariably trust our wallets,credit cards and passports with total strangers or just leave them unprotected in a tent without a thought of mistrust. We love to promote our sport. Perhaps we were not very diplomatic in this case, for that I am sorry. I am currently involved with 3 cases of people making false claims and there have been more in the past. It would be terrible for the lads and their much appreciated crew to get this far and not have their record ratified. I can assure you there is a huge danger of this if you do not address the issues Richard has addressed. Nobody on the planet knows better than him,as he has been there before. If we hated you we would not be pointing this out in advance...We would be just sitting back with a smug smile on our faces.. But that's not our nature. I hope the 4 of them continue running and look forward to seeing them in future events. You are winners as you got one of the biggest qualities, self belief and the winner mentality.Stay focused. Think only of the moment as you will expend so much energy thinking of the enormity of it all.Every step is a step nearer and a lifetime to celebrate.
Happy St.Patrick's Day and enjoy a green beer when you get a chance!
Tony Mangan
www.tonymangan.com

Thanks Richard, it brings a sigh of relief to know that there is further support out there from the Ultra Marathons community rather than 'death' claims. I think it may have started because the guys are novice runners and seems like a big jump from nothing much to suddenly running so far on each continent! You have answered a lot of questions i think people may have had! Well done on your February run though...that is hardcore!

The allegations aginst the ultra community are extraordinary, saying they have been wishing death, calling the people attempting this challenge 'freaks' etc.
I'm an ultra runner and I offered as much as help as possible to Chris when he approached me for advice, recommending he travel to mainland Antarctica, the type of gear he should wear and so on.
I know most ultra runners would be similarly helpful if asked.
Also, some ultra guys can run 7 marathons or more in a single day and 50km per day would be regular training runs. It's not something ultra runners would be 'jealous' or bothered about. I don't think people making the comments on this site have that perspective.
However, I know that this challenge of course is different in that it's also a logistical effort and not just running.
But there has also been a lot of hype when none is necessary, and the allegations against ultra runners seem to be another aspect. For example, the average temperature on King George Island at this time of year is +1.5C - there would never be icy plains or frigid conditions to contend with as alleged. It would be different if they flew into the Antarctic Circle on the mainland Antarctic continent.
Also, current tv and the site have a lot inconsistencies that would naturally draw questions. For example, there is a website banner on current tv alleging a 'world record' of 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days. In fact, I ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days 10 hours in February without much fuss....the guys attempting this challenge know that and hence altered their plans.
Other apparent inconsistencies include the dates for the 50km runs. They are over 8 calendar days (March 14th-21st) - not 7. Hence, it would be natural for people to ask if the run was happening in 7 days or 8 days. It has now been specified to be happening over 8 calendar days but "within 168 hours" so that's a good clarification.
I'm guessing others asked basics about whether appropriate athletics officials are monitoring the runs. That's just normal questioning that would occur in any line of sport. Moroever, I can't see any ultra runner wishing 'death' or other such claims. It's an utterly ridiculous claim.
So, the best of luck to them in meeting the challenge safely -- but you shouldn't throw out this nonsense about ultraunners. It's difficult not to comment after reading it.
Richard Donovan

Go for it, who cares about the haters, stick up those two fingers and run through the pain barrier.

The ultra running community are only acting like that because you got to it first!

PAID PANICO ! Good luck guys, just done the Llanelli half marathon in a gale, what could be worse than that!!!l go for it, life too short to worry bout it.

for god's sake don't for get to lube your nips!

Stu & I are in Punta Arenas and LLLLOVING all your responses

Thanks alot. Its great to have such support from those we don't know. Alot of passion from Current devotees. Keep it up. We will be drawing strength when the pot is empty

big up

onwards charge

Totally! You guys need to just try and smash it, too late to panic, awesome trip, but glad its you not me!

If something's not been done before, there's always enough people around who speak out about how impossible and pointless it is. Look at the critics of Darwin, Lennon, Maverick from Top Gun.

Remember in Top Gun when Iceman says "I don't like you because you're dangerous," and Maverick goes "That's right! Ice... man. I am dangerous!"? Think of the ultra-running community as Iceman and you as Maverick. You can either get oiled up and play topless volleyball with them to stop their nay-saying or you can do all 7 marathons in 7 days. Frankly the volleyball sounds easier and a little more fun if I'm being honest, but it's probably too late to back out and success with the marathons proves a much better point. Good luck!

That's right...keep your spirits up you have loads of people backing you! sod the rest of 'em. Whatever happens you're gonna have an amazing story at the end of it!

Good luck Stu!!!

Have it, F**k um all.

Give it a go, if it can't be done, it can't be done but not for lack of trying.

Full respect. Good luck

We're all rooting for you Stu! Stick it to the man and give it a go!!

We're behind you Stu & Olli and hope you come back & prove the naysayers wrong!

Whatever happens, you'll be having the adventure of a lifetime.

"No pain, no gain" Go guys!!

good luck!
pack some tiger balm, pain killers and maybe, as John Barnes would say, some Isotonic.

You can do it Stu! We believe in you. Go prove them wrong xx