The loss of a loved one is tragic and painful, unforgettable and irreparable to the soul, but it can most definitely be inspiring. James “Jamie” Milne, a Personal Trainer at Inspire Pure Fitness in Kuwait, is a living testament to this statement, as, with the loss of his late Grandmother Mary to Alzheimer’s in the late 1990’s, his farewell to her spawned a promise. Jamie promised himself that he would always honor Mary, and bid her farewell in his own special way—giving back to many others touched by losing someone they care about.
“Many Miles for Mary” is a charity established by New Zealander Jamie in 2009, with the premise of taking on challenges to support various charities around the world. This November, Jamie and a committed team will be running the entire length of the United Kingdom in support of charities right here in Kuwait. Jamie’s last challenges included: a 350-kilometer run from Cairns to Townsville, Queensland, Australia; over two and a half days for the Far North Queensland Rotary Association raising over NZD 10 thousand (KD 2,300); and in 2010 again Jamie and three other team members ran from Auckland to Wellington, NZ, 890km over 7 days, raising NZD 10 thousand (KD 2,300) for the Child’s Cancer Foundation NZ. As time progressed, the challenges became more intense. In 2011, his team ran 900-kilometers from Wellington to Auckland along the coast of New Zealand’s North Island in 10 days and raised 7 thousand dollars (KD 1,600) for the Ronald McDonald House Auckland. He ran solo in 2012 covering over 922km, along New Zealand’s South Island in 11 days and raised 7 thousand dollars (KD 1,600) for the same charity.
On the 14th of November, Jamie and his team of three runners from Inspire Pure Fitness Kuwait will take off from Land’s End England to John o’Groats in the highlands of Scotland, covering a total of 1,407 kilometers over a period of 12 days. Not only will this year’s run mark a fifth feat of endurance completed by Jamie, but his team also aims to raise awareness as well as funds for local charities in Kuwait. Conducted as a team relay, the team members will complete 30 kilometers at a time, each totaling around 120 kilometers every day! To prepare himself and the team for this massive run, Jamie will be mainly utilizing Crossfit Endurance Training Methods. To make sure that they are fully ready for the strenuous challenge, no more than 20 kilometers in total will be run each week in prep for this Ultra Marathon.
Along with Jamie and his inspiring team, we’d like to invite you to participate in this immense undertaking, as this challenge requires unrequited support and encouragement for all of the runners as well as their need for additional funds to achieve and succeed in their goals in this incredible journey. Stay tuned to ‘Many Miles for Mary’ on Facebook and Twitter, in local media, as well as television and radio stations from New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. There will also be daily updates during the whole challenge via digital media, which is also helping fundraising efforts for the duration of the event. Many Miles for Mary will also be self-funded and supported by Inspire Pure Fitness.
For more information on how you can support this event, or information on how to donate, visit Facebook: Many Miles for Mary
