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Blind British Runner Completes Seven Marathons in Seven Days

by Medindia Content Team on Apr 14 2008 12:46 PM

A blind British runner became only the third person ever to complete seven marathons on seven continents in seven days when he crossed the London Marathon's finish line on Sunday.

The gruelling week-long stretch saw 50-year-old Dave Heeley run a total of 183.4 miles (293.4 kilometres) -- 26.2 miles a day -- in the Falkland Islands, Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles, Sydney, Dubai, Tunis and London to raise money for guide dogs.

"To think last week I was in the Falklands, it's just too incredible for words," Heeley said after completing his last marathon of the week in five hours and 20 minutes

"I am the first blind person to do this. It's been a fantastic adventure and one I'm going to talk about for a long time."

Upon completing the London leg, Heeley was embraced by his wife, Debbie and daughters Dannie, Georgie Lee and Grace.

Heeley, from West Bromwich in central England, was born with an eye disease and lost his sight completely at the age of 16, curtailing a keen interest in running.

He began competing again at the age of 40 when he heard of someone doing the London Marathon to raise money for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

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Source-AFP
SRM/L


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