Ultra-distance runner from Lewes completes 24-hour treadmill challenge to raise funds for Nepal disaster relief
An ultra-distance runner completed an astonishing 24-hour ‘art run’ in Lewes to raise funds for disaster relief in Nepal.
Didz, the founder of adventure and storytelling platform Ultra Nomad Lab, teamed up with Doctors for Nepal (DFN) to run the equivalent of four marathons on a treadmill from Saturday to Sunday, September 12-13.
The incredible feat took place at The Soap Factory in Phoenix Place, North Street, starting at 12pm on the Saturday and ending at 12pm on Sunday.
At the end of the live art exhibition Didz, who ran a total of 105 miles, slept in an installation he had created to represent Nepal after it was struck by the recent floods.
Didz, a Lewes local, said: “The 24-hour treadmill run at The Soap Factory was an incredible experience. For most of the run, the goal was simple: keep moving, stay focused, and do not fall off the treadmill.
“Local people came in, stopped for conversations, shared stories and stayed late into the night. The support, generosity and willingness of people to simply show up gave me a lot of hope. The Soap Factory Lewes is a real example of what can happen when a community comes together.
“The dirt nap was the last bit of performance, and was well needed after a long day and night.”
Lewes residents, late night security guards and early morning joggers visited the Soap Factory during the run to cheer Didz on. The front part of the venue, which is now a café, hosted a mezcal tasting event while Didz took on his challenge.
Didz said a 24-hour run is fuelled by more than 10,000 calories so he had to plan his diet carefully beforehand. His basic ultra-running nutrition was covered by sports gels, bars and electrolyte drink, sponsored by independent running store Diverse Terrain in Lewes. His other foods included: Coca-Cola, pretzels, crisps, gherkins (to prevent cramps), chips, Haribo, noodle soup and pastries. Everything was prepared in advance and handled by his support team throughout his run.
DFN is a charity set up by Sussex doctor Kate Yarrow. It has launched an emergency appeal to fund urgent medical support and relief for the communities affected by the Nepal floods at doctorsfornepal.org/emergency-appeal-nepal-flash-floods. According to UNICEF Australia, hundreds of people have died and at least 84,270 people have been affected by the flash floods, which happened along the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday, August 26.
Dr Kate Yarrow, chair and founder of DFN, said: “We are astounded by Didz’s incredible achievement running over 105 miles and 24 hours. His run showed the true resilience and endurance that humans have, and connected us in so many ways to the endurance that people from Nepal have to face on a daily basis.
“This week we are running our first flood relief health camp, providing medical relief to women and children from Bidur (one of the worst affected regions from the flood), with a team of Doctors for Nepal, Nepalese doctors and nurses, that we have been able to mobilise because of the public’s generosity.
“We have raised over £27,000 to date and we’re hoping that there’s much more still to come in over the coming weeks as our response in Nepal is (fittingly) a marathon and not a sprint. The approach to healthcare has to be measured and carefully planned, and we are only at phase one (of three intended phases).”
Later this month, the charity is set to run a ‘health camp’ in a flood-affected village to provide face-to-face medical care for up to 2,000 people. On October 3, Doctors For Nepal is set to screen its latest documentary Health in the Himalayas at The Garden Cinema in Soho with VIP guest patron Dame Joanna Lumley. People who would like to support the charity can visit www.doctorsfornepal.org where they can also purchase tickets to the event in London.
The 204 1/2 arts collective is currently exhibiting at The Soap Factory for the Artwave festival. The venue was recently reopened as a new café and community space.