Checkout Finish - Alex Flynn
One in Ten Million 3
years ago Alex Flynn was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a disease which currently has no cure. Flynn
has since embarked on a global mission to raise £1 million for The Cure Parkinson’s Trust by traveling 10 million metres by running, walking and if his condition deteriorates, crawling. A keen fi tness fanatic, Alex fi rst noticed
Parkinson’s symptoms at the time of training for the Marathon Des Sables in 2009 when making a cup of coff ee before work, a task that millions of us undertake every day. From then on his life changed forever. “When I went to pick up a cup of coffee I noticed a slight tremor in my hand. I just put it down to training too hard. No matter what I did, the tremor in my hand returned. I finally swallowed my pride and sought help. I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease which in layman’s terms is Parkinson’s of unknown origin.” There are around 120,000 cases of Parkinson’s
diagnosed every year in the UK. The disease robs suff erers of the ability to move, and traps them in their own body. This makes tasks people take for granted like walking and talking diffi cult for some. Famous suff erers include Muhammad Ali and actor Michael J. Fox. “When I was diagnosed, I was shocked” said
Flynn. “I always associated Parkinson’s with only affecting the old. The reality is it can affect
This new regular feature will profi le an array of personalities within the sports industry. This month Alex Flynn and his ambition to raise £1 million for The Cure Parkinson’s Trust
people of all ages.” Rather than dwell on the disease, he has chosen to fi ght it and the 10 million metres campaign was born. 10 million metres is the equivalent of over 6000 miles. “I was in a dark place for a couple of months but I couldn’t just sit back and let the disease take hold of me. There is so much not known about the disease and there currently is no cure. This campaign is my way of standing up and fi ghting and hopefully contributing to help fi nd a cure.” So far Alex has completed 37% of his challenge and he is currently planning a 3200+ mile Trans USA challenge for 2012. The challenge has involved competing in some of the most gruelling races in the world and frequently pushes himself to the absolute limit like the Marathon Des Sables in 2010. “The Marathon Des Sables is the 156 mile ultra- marathon in the Sahara desert and the average temperature was around 143 degrees. I became the fi rst Parkinson’s suff erer to complete the race and it feels terrifi c.” There may come a point in time when Alex is no longer able to run and compete in races of this nature. Until then he plans to live to his motto of “just keep moving” in his pursuit of ten million metres. “I believe one day in my lifetime there will be
a cure for this abhorrent disease. Until then I will use all my ability to help achieve my goal and raise vital funds for The Cure Parkinson’s Trust.”
Alex Flynn Progress So Far . . .
Distance covered: 3,741,804m | 37% Complete
Completed races include:
Ridgway 85 Ultra Marathon Country to Capital Ultra Marathon Marathon Des Sables London Marathon Dubai Marathon Trans Europe Ultra Long Distance Run
FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.alexfl
ynn.co.uk To donate visit
www.justgiving.com/Alex-Flynn
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SGB-SPORTS.COM
Des Sables is the 156 mile ultra- marathon in the Sahara desert and the average temperature was around 143 degrees. I became the fi rst Parkinson’s suff erer to complete the race and it feels terrifi c.
The Marathon
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