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Running around in endless circles - all for charity

Willie Richards, one of Subtech’s offshore experts, has embarked on an epic charity challenge that will see him cycle and run over 1,500km across the Western Cape of South Africa to raise funds and awareness for the animal charity, African Tails.

He set off from Stellenbosch on 10 September and will cycle to to Plettenberg Bay before returning on foot – which means running 14 ultra-marathons (between 55 and 70km a day) consecutively.

Over the summer Willie worked as offshore construction manager for Subtech on board its diving support vessel the BE 808, and was forced to run around the helideck to keep up with his gruelling training regime.

Willie, who completed a similar mission (1,845km from Namibia to Cape Town in 19 days) to raise funds for African Tails back in 2017, says:

‘My training has consisted of running endless circles on the helideck to rack up the mileage, which has been tough as the vessel is constantly rolling. I have also spent quite a bit of time in the ship’s gym on the rowing machine, the stationary bike and circuit training.

If this is anything like my previous expeditions the biggest challenge will be inside my head.'

African Tails works to curb the over-population of street dogs and cats in South Africa in a bid to improve their quality of life through educational programmes and neutering.  

You can follow Willie on Twitter and show support by using #whereswillie2019, or donate to his fundraising page.