Mark Williamson, owner of The West Arms Country Inn in Wrexham, will join super athlete Alex Flynn, in one of the 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Challenge’s in support of Parkinson’s UK.
Alex and Mark will be taking on the defying dunes of the Gobi Desert in the Gobi March – a 250km/155mile, 6 stage ultramarathon over the Mongolian desert in June 2020. The race is named by TIME magazine as one of the Top 10 Endurance Competitions in the world.
Mark Williamson, who is an outdoor fitness enthusiast, said:
“Following his recent visit to North Wales, Alex inspired me to take up this challenge when he asked me to join him. A lot of strength and endurance is needed for this gruelling desert challenge. Fortunately I have a great training base at my feet – The Ceiriog Valley. I also plan to do some altitude training in Everest later this year!
“I look forward to supporting Alex on this challenge. He is living proof that Parkinson’s is no obstacle for success!”
Mark will be supporting Alex Flynn who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2008 at the age of 36. Despite the initial set-back, his diagnosis became the catalyst in his life for showing people the possibility of creating positive change in the face of adversity.
From professional athletes to adventures, mountaineers to hikers, young and old, the 250-km / 155-mile self-supported Gobi March footrace favours the brave and the bold.
The course follows the footsteps of the Great Genghis Khan with the race ending in Karakorum, the 13th and 14th century capital of Genghis Khan’s Empire, in the vast steppe.
As well as braving the heat of the Gobi Desert, Alex will also take on the rest of the other 4 Deserts Grand Slam Plus – racing a total of 1,250km / 780 miles unsupported on foot across the Namib Desert, the Great Caucasus of Georgia, the Atacama Desert and Antarctica.
Only eight people in the world have ever completed the 4 Deserts Grand Slam Plus – Alex Flynn is set to join this unique group of super athletes while being the first person with Parkinson’s disease to ever to attempt any RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts ultra.
However, Alex’s driver is to raise funds for and awareness of Parkinson's disease. He can be found doing some of the more complex, unexpected and surprising challenges across the planet to raise more than £1 million towards vital research to find a cure while inspiring and educating people along the way.
“I want a cure for millions around the planet and hope you do too. Together we can make change happen!” #KeepMoving
Mark Williamson will be setting up a fundraising page so stay tuned.
