My Grand to Grand challenge for WWTW

Another year older and my challenge for this year is to raise money for a very worthy charity “Walking with the Wounded” by running the Grand to Grand Ultra.

The Grand to Grand Ultra is an extraordinary 273km, ultra-endurance race across the Grand Canyon. It is the first and only self-supported stage footrace in America. In simple terms, it’s a marathon a day for 6 days with one of the days being a double marathon.

I am totally self-supported which means I carry everything I need for the week on my back, including sleeping bag & mat, clothes, food, medical & emergency equipment which will weigh in at about 10+ kgs. The only upside is as the race progresses and you eat your food, your pack gets lighter.

The organisers supply water, a tent which you share with 8 other competitors and breath taking scenery - you bring your own pain!

The race starts on the 24th September at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in Northern Arizona and runs (off road) to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Southern Utah. Along the way, the course will pass through a desert landscape of sand dunes, red rock canyons, buttes, mesas and slot canyons over territory once inhabited by Navajo and Paiute Indian, reaching an altitude of over 2,651m.

If you are interested here is a quick 2 minute video giving a flavour of the race

There is only 54 days to go now, I am training hard and my main aim is to get to the start line uninjured.

Walking With The Wounded is an amazing charity which supports a pathway for vulnerable veterans to re-integrate back into society and sustain their independence. At the heart of this journey is employment and it would be very much appreciated if you can help me to raise much needed money for this worthy cause through either personal or corporate donations.

 Donations can be made through my Virgin money giving page https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BrianBartaby.

Many thanks in advance for any and all your support.