Published August 4th 2005
Background: As their former coach Donald Legget remarked in his email to the Rowing Service, "there must have been something in the water at Cambridge in the early '90s". Like CUBC Blue Richard Staite, who recently climbed Everest, Goldie man Andy Elder ('90 & '91) is not happy unless doing something categorically insane. Elder's plan for 2005 was to become the first Briton to successfully complete the world's hottest and coldest ultramarathons, on the way raising £40,000 for the Brain and Spine Foundation. Having finished the Yukon Arctic Ultra 100 mile run in 2004, on July 13th 2005 he crossed the finishing line for the Badwater ultramarathon in Death Valley, USA. Below is an post-race description from Andy.
Incessant exposure to a combination of 135 miles of relentless tarmac, the hottest temperatures in Death Valley so far this year (129 F in the shade), 3 climbs of over 5,000 feet each, electrolyte imbalances, severe blisters and mind numbingly straight roads where distances are ten times what they seem, meant that both mind and body were beaten to a pulp.
They both emerged, however, intact ~54 hours later to finish the race somewhat behind schedule though jubilant. During parts of the race, a combination of factors listed above and others, meant that I experienced the greatest mental lows, which coupled with the physical pain meant that I have never been so close to pulling out from an event, but it is testimony to the incredible hard work and constant attention I received from my support crew (my father, and my good friend and successful brain tumour battler Andy Gowans) that I pulled through.
The conditions were indescribable, however the following facts may go some way to illustrating their ferocity and uniqueness:
Getting through all this was never going to be easy - and you could say I knew the risks...... however there is no doubt that the thoughts of all my generous supporters were absolutely pivotal to me in ploughing on and completing this challenge. Reflecting on how I would break it to you all that I had failed in the task was enough to help ensure one foot went in front of the other.......
My ultramarathon running shoes are now being hung up for more child-friendly events, but I cannot thank you enough for helping to provide me with that support. Your contribution, together with all the others now accounts for around £37,000 towards the target of £40,000, and will help fund what I believe is one of the most deserving and yet underfunded causes amongst medical charities. Below you can see why I think this is the case.
Contributions are still rolling in and with luck we will achieve the target..... I hope you feel chuffed to contribute to such a great cause. Below are details of the great and under-resourced work that the Brain and Spine Foundation helps to fund,and why I believe so passionately that this one of the most worthy causes around for which to raise funds.
Brain disease and injury are very common -
* Affecting more than three million people in the UK, they are the most common cause of death and disability in the population
* Almost everyone at some point in their lives will be affected in some way by them, whether personally or through friends or family. They devastate peoples' lives
* They strike, often suddenly, right at the core of our functions we take for granted
* They affect young and old alike. A little money can make a huge difference to people's lives
* Since relatively little is known about many of these conditions and how to treat them effectively, incremental gains in research are often large
* The effects of brain disease and injury can be very difficult to cope with. Support for patients and families adds huge benefit.
The Brain and Spine Foundation was set up in 1992 to develop research, education and information programmes aimed at improving the prevention, treatment and care of people affected by disorders of the brain and spine, and to stimulate the greater allocation of resources across all neurological disorders
With many thanks
Andrew."