Paralympic silver medalist Mark Brown is on a cycle challenge from Santander to Gibraltar
The former international marathon and long distance runner, along with a work colleague, aims to cycle the 800 miles from Northern Spain to the Rock of Gibraltar.
Brown is no stranger to arduous tasks of endurance, having enjoyed a rich running career that has taken in three Paralympics and several World Championships, in the most intense heat. But having done nothing like this before, and having been forced to retire from athletics through injury, he admits this will be his greatest challenge yet:
"I don't know how well I'll fare, as I've not been able to do anything athletics-wise since I returned from the Everest Marathon in Nepal last November. I was ill while over there, and when I came back I couldn't run without my lower back giving me pain, which is why I've had to retire, but I am able to cycle. This is foremost a new challenge for me and my colleague Mark Wilson, but if we can raise money through the cycle shop, then great. "The 43-year-old lost his arm in a road accident in 1992 while serving in the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, and names the silver medal he won in the 2000 Sydney Paralympics marathon as the highlight of his running career. He now works for the Primary Care Trust in the Barrowford area, and would like to make it known that if anyone is interested in sponsoring the pair's efforts, then the money raised will be donated to the Get Kids Going charity that aims to provide specially-built sport wheel chairs for budding disabled athletes.
Gareth Morris of Burnley Cycle Centre has kindly provided the bicycles that the pair will be taking with them as they undergo their two-week coastal ride from Santander. Mark is hoping that they will be somewhere close to Gibralter come May 24th, as he aims to celebrate his birthday with family and friends who live in Gibraltar
Mark Brown starts work in Gibraltar on June 12th for the Social Services, at the Giraldi Home
Mark has represented Gibraltar in a couple of Island Games as well as running the Marathons at the Olympics games, he will be a real asset to Gibraltar Athletics. He has been involved in training young Athletes, in Gibraltar, on his frequent visits.
Image above:
ON THEIR WAY: Cyclist Mark Wilson and former paralympian Mark Brown (right) who are undertaking a 200 mile bike ride through Spain. Also pictured is Gareth Morris (centre) from Burnley Cycle Centre who has supplied the bikes
Source: Gibraltar Disability Movement and Burnley Today
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