Dorset duo running seven marathons in seven days

Poole natives Chris Helberg and Chris Bryer-Ashe are running seven consecutive marathons in March. 

The duo is currently completing their fundraiser, and nearing their £20,000 target. The money being raised is being donated for the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF).

So far, £16,300 has been raised, seven weeks out from the start of their challenge, with potential of increasing the target.

Helberg, a 30-year-old furniture manager, explained why the DCCF was chosen:

He said: “They’re the only specific charity in Dorset, for people who can’t get to hospital for treatment. We really liked that story, and we liked that the challenge could be in Dorset.”

Helberg and Bryer-Ashe came up with the idea after attending the Annual Dorset CancerCare Gala Ball, after they were inspired by people talking about how cancer had affected them, and how the DCCF had saved their lives.

Helberg said: “I said wow, I would like to do something, so I suggested the idea of seven marathons to Chris. He said “Are you mad”.

“I said I’m doing it with or without you, and he said I can’t let you do that on your own.”

The fundraiser is also personal for Helberg, who’s mum is a cancer survivor.

He said: “She recently sent me photos of that time, there was a point where I was told to say my goodbyes.

“At 11 or 12 years old it’s awful and I would never wish it on anyone.”

The idea of seven marathons in seven days was planned to raise enough money, with an aim for the money to change people’s lives.

Childhood friends, they reconnected a few years ago, and have stated that the challenge has brought them closer together. Both are tennis players, and only took up running for the challenge.  

Helberg said: “Training started in September, and I started with a running coach in October, a guy called James Suarez from Berkshire. He’s been training me once a week, and every week he sends me sends me a plan.”

“Running is unbelievably tough on your body. The aches and pains you get are horrible.” 

With such a relentless challenge, the training has been intense and tiring.

Helberg said: “Training is tough. I usually wing things, but you can’t wing seven marathons in seven days.”

“An average day of training for myself, includes waking up at 4.45am, drive to meet our running coach, one day I did 10km of hill sprints. Then I head back home to the ice baths, and then start my normal day.”

“Saturday when I’m off work, I’ll run a marathon, and then try to fit in a social life as well. That’s the hardest thing. My friends are going out for beers on a Friday, but I can’t do it.”

“I didn’t realise how hard its going to be. I’ve ran around 2,500km in training alone. Trying to keep my body in the best condition I can.” 

Both participants will continue their training until their big week in March.

To know that you can make a difference and changed someone’s like. There’s no better feeling than that. I think about my mum, she’s had cancer four times. If I’m struggling, I think that if people beat cancer, I can keep on running.” 

The first marathon takes place on the 10th of March, starting at the other side of the chain ferry at Poole Harbour, and finish at the Sandbanks chain ferry. The last day on the 16th of March, will finish at Bournemouth Pier. Throughout the week we will be in Salisbury and Wareham, Christchurch, Lymington and the New Forest. It will be updated closer to the time. 

There is a link for the Go Fund Me on their event Instagram @7marathons7days_