Willie Richards is at it again! He is on a mission to create awareness for the animals and the environment. On 10 April 2016, for 11 days, he will travel 500km PLUS!
Willie works off shore on a Field Support Vessel, but he feels he is always missing out on major marathons and sporting events. Due to his extreme lifestyle, Willie did not let this dampen his passion for staying fit and healthy, and decided to create his own fun events, while doing what he loves for a special cause. He trains by running up and down the various platform stairs and spends a few hours a week running around the helipad.
We spoke to Willie to hear what his plans are for his next extreme adventure:
Who are you supporting this time Willie?
Fallen Angels is a newly established Animal Rescue Organisation just outside my home town, Melkbosstrand. They are – like most other similar organisations - struggling to get funding, so this is my way to help them with exposure and by making them my main beneficiary I hope I can give back to them too. I’m still very fit from my previous event, so why not make the most of my fitness levels and give back even more? I loved my mission of my previous run, and I got so much support, that it made perfectly sense to double the benefit.
What will your route entail?
Most of my running will be directly on the West Coast beach, starting inland at Nuwerus.
At Ludzville I adventure off onto the Olifants river for a paddle, beach running from Strandfontein, Lambert's Bay, Eland’s Bay, Velddrif, Paternoster, and then in Saldanha I will paddle the Langebaan Lagoon to Kraalbaai, more beach running to Yzerfontein.
Then inland to Darling and my final leg down the coast to end at Big Bay.
The total duration should be 11 days, doing about 50km a day, this time with no bike, I prefer to run, beach is more accessible for running than what I did before.
We mentioned to Willie about the devastating effects of diamond mining and coastal pollution, to which he was most delighted to share with us that this is also a major part of his journey to create more awareness about the environment that we don’t always see. Darling Breweries has become one of his sponsors and with their support he will be focussing every day on 1 Endangered Animal of the West Coast. We look forward to see that!
Who are your sponsors?
NuuN, Darling Breweries, Dive-Action Go-pro
We know you can’t do this alone, who are the people that will be rubbing your sore legs and feeding your hungry tummy this time Willie?
My Back-up team is again Alfred Benz and Deon Maartins. I can’t do it without their amazing support indeed.
Safety-wise, will you be safe on these beaches? You mentioned on your last adventure how vulnerable you felt next to a small village near Hermanus.
Yes, we have been warned of a community that are fairly volatile. I am aware of these people and what they have been up to, so with the Grace of God, I know I will be safe. For extra measure, I have a few safety protection items that I will carry on me.
We wish Willie and his team all the best in this epic adventure and look forward to seeing what they will be posting regarding the environment and his journey, join us on following them on the various social pages below.
Donations towards Willie for Fallen Angels as their beneficiary, please reference 500kmPLUS. Thank you.
