Dunmow: Charlie's ready for the endurance test (From Gazette)

Dunmow: Charlie's ready for the endurance test

7:00pm Tuesday 6th January 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

While some people would not attempt even one major endurance challenge in their lives Charlie Pitcher is tackling two in a single year.

The 45-year-old father-of-four is training for the Marathon des Sables (MDS) desert event where he will run six marathons in six days across the Sahara Desert carrying a 12 kilo backpack.

And he will also be taking part in a solo row across the Atlantic in a six metre boat.

His challenges begin in March, with the desert marathons, and continue in December, when he attempts the 3,000 mile Woodvale Atlantic rowing race.

The Felsted father-of-four was inspired to cross the Atlantic solo after reading a book given to him by his second wife Emma, about a similar journey made by James Cracknell and Ben Fogel.

He will tackle waves of up 30 feet in a specially-designed boat being built in Cornwall.

The double endurance feat has been prompted by Mr Pitcher’s mission to raise at least £100,000 for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust in memory of his friend Shaun McLeod-Jones, of North Street, Dunmow, and as a thank you for the treatment received by his youngest son Freddie, five.

• More in today's Gazette