My buddy David Grier is in the mix again – and this time is slightly different to his earlier vibes, when he completed the first ever joint continuous run of the Great Wall of China, some 4000km in 98 days. Ja, I thought that might refresh your memory!
So check this out – he’s taking things to the next level, once again!
2000 Extreme kilometers underfoot for brave Cipla Adventurer!
Although he’s 15 kilograms lighter thanks to numerous bouts of food poisoning, swamp fever, infected leech bites and now bilharzia, intrepid David Grier today crossed the 2000 km mark in his run of the Madagascan island!
With another 600 km to go, a physically depleted but mentally strong David looks likely to reach the finish before 16 March.
The past two weeks have exacted a massive physical toll on the 50 year old Capetonian chef. With monsoon rains destroying many roads and bridges beyond Ambatondrazaka , the support vehicle had to make a 1000 km detour to get around while David, accompanied by cameraman Nick Heygate, was forced to spend over a week making his way through dense, hot, humid and remote bush and swamplands cut off from contact with the outside world and with only as much food, clothing and medical suplies as the pair could carry on their backs.
When he finally made contact via Twitter, it was the lack of food that was cause for concern.
‘Food, there is nothing. A bit of fruit, the odd rice cake, that’s it. I trek hungry all day, sleep hungry, wake hungry, all I do is think about food as I slowly wilt away and my energy drains by the day’ and ‘Five days now, hardly any food, 1 bowl of rice, some warm Zebu milk, 2 tins of sardines and green bananas, starting to feel weaker, but managing my 40km a day’.
His relief at finding his way out of the jungle and meeting up with the support vehicle was short-lived. A debilitating bout of swamp bug was swiftly followed by the shock of discovering he’s contracted bilharzia! Nevertheless he pushed on slowly and a few days later is back to running his daily 40 km! His sense of humour returned too and he tweeted on Sunday: “Great to be finally back to normal. Like a greyhound now after shedding 15kg in weight. I am a bag of rattling bones breaking the sound barrier on my way to the sea.”
Always at the back of his mind is the thought of the children who will smile for the first time when he completes his toughest Cipla Miles for Smiles Challenge yet. Please help make his journey count.
Please click here to donate.
David has been nominated as Adventurer of the Year for Out There Magazine, please vote for him HERE.
Go Dave! We’re right behind you, pal!
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