Seven Magnificent Marathons

Seven marathons, seven days, seven continents

Pushing boundaries, living dreams

Dave Heeley pushed the boundaries and lived his dream of running Seven Magnificent Marathons – seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days. The extraordinary challenge aims to raise awareness of visual impairment around the globe whilst at the same time raise funds for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

50-year-old Dave, from West Bromwich, is totally blind and became inspired to take on the challenge having had his life totally transformed by the independence provided by his guide dog.

‘Blind Dave’ as he likes to be known, began the Seven Magnificent Marathons on Monday 07 April 2008. The first leg of the challenge was in Port Stanley, Falkland Islands (Antarctica), followed by six subsequent gruelling legs in Santiago (South America), Los Angeles (North America), Sydney (Australasia), Dubai (Asia), Nairobi (Africa) and finally the Flora London Marathon on Sunday 13 April.

Registered blind for the past 20 years, Dave ran the challenge with his sighted running guide Malcolm Carr. He couldn't see the locations, routes and supporters – and so relied on Malcolm to describe the route and environment whilst ensuring he didn't trip and injure himself.

Dave wbacame the first blind person to complete seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days. Only internationally renowned sighted adventurers Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Dr Mike Stroud – who readily support Dave – have ever completed this ultimate endurance test. Sir Ranulph Fiennes says: "As one of only two people to have completed seven marathons in seven days on seven continents, I can tell you that it is perhaps the ultimate in physical endurance. Dave's inspirational challenge is made all the more extraordinary by the fact that he’s blind – further pushing the boundaries of human endeavour."

Dave explains the inspiration behind undertaking this ultimate in endurance: “In the UK alone, 100 people start to lose their sight every day – with many thousands receiving inadequate support in getting their lives back together after experiencing this loss. Having suffered sight loss, I know how terrifying life can seem. I have been fortunate enough to have had my life transformed by Guide Dogs. That is why I am determined to create awareness of visual impairment around the globe in an effort to improve services for blind and partially sighted people.”

Find out more about Dave Heeley’s Seven Magnificent Marathons and to donate to his inspirational global challenge visit www.7mm.org.uk.