Arctic Circle Trail for Olivia

It was awful but I completed the Arctic Circle Trail! Thank you so much for your generous support, I would have turned back without it. Read about the experience on my blog here; www.petitefeetrunaway.blogspot.co.uk

In August this year I will be completing a solo unsupported run across the Arctic Circle Trail (ACT) in Greenland for my older sister, Olivia, as a way to celebrate what should be her 40th birthday. Sadly Olivia passed away in 2018 after a long battle with cancer, aged 32.

The remote Arctic Circle Trail stretches for about 100 miles (160km) and runs from the icecap to the ocean. It consits of boggy tundra, river crossings, mosquitos and variable weather. Expect chaffing everywhere, monster blisters, some dodgy navigation, hallucintations and plenty of ugly crying. Fortunately, polar bear sightings and rabid arctic foxes are rare! There are limited small huts but I will not get the opportunity to stay in them as I am aiming to run through most of the night and complete the nine day hike in less than 48 hours. At least if I do see a polar bear, I'll be faster than the hikers.

Given Olivia's extensive interests and greatness, it was hard to choose a charity. When the standard treatment options failed to work, Olivia volunteered to be part of a research drug which is why I chose Cancer Research as one of the charities. The Zambia and Malawi Community Partnership fund a range of projects, including Shoe Share Malawi which sends sports shoes to Malawi for aspiring athletes. A fitting charity for the amount of time I will be spending in wet shoes.

Check out the blog Olivia wrote during her treatment to hear about her story; www.oekiwiwithlymphoma.blogspot.com

Thank you for visiting my page. Dig deep - I know I will be in August.

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