Cancer Research Wales

A determined Cancer Research Wales supporter from Bridgend has completed seven gruelling athletic challenges over the course of the year, in the hope of raising £1,000.

Dafydd Owen, 43, has run, swum, cycled and struggled almost 160km this year in a series of extreme races to show his support for Wales’ indigenous cancer charity.

Father of four Dafydd said: “Before this, the furthest I’d ever run was the Cardiff Half Marathon, and I only managed that once - but I’m never one to back away from a challenge!

“Cancer has affected many of my family and friends, so I wanted to do something huge to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause.”

On 17 March, Dafydd took on the Rock Solid Race at Escot Park in Exeter. Within the 10km race format were 37 obstacles, from water and mud to 8ft walls and even fire. Dafydd commented: “There was more mud than I ever want to see again. It was testing, but I passed!”

That challenge paled in comparison to the Fisherman’s Friend Strongman Run on 4 May, which saw Dafydd travel to Nürburgring, Cologne. Described as ‘the mother of all obstacle courses’, the 22.5km route features ice pools, mud tunnels and electric fences.

Having completed the Strongman Run in 3 hours and 41 minutes, Dafydd commented: “I heard swear words from each of the 53 European nations represented; it was quite an education.”

Dafydd undertook his first triathlon on 19 May. The Llanelli Sprint Triathlon involves a 750m swim, 30km bike ride and 5km run, which Dafydd completed in just under 2 hours.

Dafydd said: “I’d never done a triathlon before; I don’t even own a road bike! It seemed to go on forever, but as I approached the finish line I saw my wife and youngest kids, and my 8 year old ran alongside me for the last 10 metres which really spurred me on.”

Then, on 29 July, Dafydd travelled to London for the world’s biggest triathlon. In 3 hours and 22 minutes, he completed a 1.5km swim in the Royal Victoria Dock, a 40km cycle along the north bank of the Thames and a 10km run.

Dafydd commented: “I was so tired by the end that I’m not sure what happened - but I definitely finished, I have the photo to prove it.”

His next race was the infamous Tough Mudder on 21 September. Held at Glanusk Estate near Crickhowell in Mid Wales, the relentless 19km course features 14 obstacles involving mud, 10ft walls, icy water and barbed wire.

Dafydd commented: “Some of the obstacles were really nasty. The Electric Eel dished out some strong shocks and the Mud Mile did what it said on the tin, but the worst for me was the Cage Crawl: a 60ft ditch filled with water, with mesh just a few inches above the surface.”

Having only just recovered from this challenge, on 29 September Dafydd took on the Men’s Health Survival of the Fittest race, a 10km urban assault course running right through Cardiff.

He said: “Survival of the Fittest was my first obstacle race back in 2010, and has a special place in my heart as a result. Compared to Tough Mudder or Strongman, it wasn’t a huge physical test - the obstacles are largely pedestrians and scaffolding as you run through the city!”

Dafydd completed his final challenge on 15 December, when he took part in the annual Christmas Pudding Race in Bridgend. The 10km multi-terrain run around Merthyr Mawr is the brainchild of former Olympic marathoner Steve Brace.

After an amazing year of athletic challenges and determined fundraising, Dafydd has raised £865 for Cancer Research Wales, and is planning to run the Snowdonia Marathon 2014 in support of the cause so close to his heart.

Cancer Research Wales fundraiser Mei Lewis said: “Sadly, as Dafydd has experienced, cancer affects so many people – not just the patient but their family and friends too.

“Thanks to amazing supporters like Dafydd and the generosity of his sponsors, we can fund groundbreaking, potentially life-saving research and work to reduce the impact of this terrible disease on everyone in Wales.”

Cancer Research Wales would be grateful to anyone who would like to sponsor Dafydd’s year-long fundraising effort. Donations can be made online at http://www.justgiving.com/Dafydd-Owen.

To read more about Dafydd’s journey, visit knowingwhentolaugh.tumblr.com.

Related articles: 2013, Bridgend, Cancer, cancer research, Cancer Research Wales, charity, charity fundraising, Christmas Pudding Race, CRW, Dafydd Thomas, Fundraiser, fundraising, Llanelli Sprint Triathlon, London Triathlon, Mei Lewis, Men’s Health, Rock Solid Race, Strongman Run, Survival of the Fittest, Tough Mudder Challenge, wales, Welsh fundraising