Dunwoody whipped into shape on 1,000-mile walk
Richard Dunwoody has passed the halfway point in his bid to walk 1,000 miles in 1,000 hours.
The former champion jockey has been joined by a host of walkers as he bid to equal the feat of Captain Robert Barclay who completed the same challenge 200 years ago.
On Tuesday, former Bond girl actress Rachel Grant was on hand to whip the Grand National winning jockey into shape as he broke the 600-mile barrier.
When Captain Robert Barclay reached mile 607 the effects of sleep deprivation had begun to take their toll and he was famously beaten by a stick to keep him awake.
Dunwoody ceremoniously re-enacted the event with Miss Grant on Tuesday, when the star, who is best-known for her role as Peaceful Fountains of Desire – James Bond's Hong Kong Yacht Club masseuse in the 2002 film Die Another Day.
The Hollywood-based actress a distant relative of the late Queen Mother and body-double for Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider, flew in specially for the event and dressed in full riding gear to hand out the "punishment" for the cameras.
She is also a spokesperson for Sparks one of the charities which will benefit from Dunwoody's effort.
"I generally feel OK, but even at this stage it's a matter of taking it one day at a time and I still have a long way to go," said Dunwoody.
"The support from so many people has been fantastic and it's been wonderful to see people like Paul 'Barney' Bamford who joined me for 24 hours in his wheelchair."
Sports science experts from the University of Ulster have been examining Dunwoody's physical and mental health as the challenge progresses taking fluid samples every 200 and 400 miles and testing immune functions, which have so far shown no change in health.
"In terms of weight and body fat, he is managing to maintain body weight," said Dr Marie Murphy.
"He put on approx three kg in preparation for the challenge and at the 400-mile mark had only lost about one kg of this."
Also urging Dunwoody on this week were several celebrity walkers and 12 students from Snailwell's British Racing School, who walked with Dunwoody for miles 494 and 495.
"It was amazing. I really expected him to be so tired he wouldn't talk much, but he talked to us the whole way and was brilliant at answering our questions," said Michael Keady, one of the senior students from the school.
On Thursday, Injured Jockeys Fund almoners and Newmarket staff joined the walk with Newmarket Leisure Centre staff on the road on Monday.
On Tuesday, author and journalist Jilly Cooper joined the challenge.
Yesterday, badminton Olympic silver medallist Gail Emms took part while fellow Olympian swimmer Mark Foster was set to take over from her today.
Tomorrow. Dunwoody will be joined by representatives from the Alzheimer’s Society, another of his chosen charities
Dunwoody has auctioned off a space on the last mile for around 3,000, which he aims to complete on Darley July Cup Day on July 10.
Event co-organiser Astley club manager Ron Wallwork is hoping members of the public will get involved with a series of special challenges to mark the bicentenary of Barclay’s walk held as part of a weekend of walking events on July 11 and 12.
This will include a series of races and the Newmarket Trainers’ Bi-Centenary Ramble over four-and-a-half miles of the Town Plate Course, which was first used for racing by King Charles II in 1665.
All those who take part will be given a special memento to mark the event.
For more details about the events, contact Ron Wallwork at Newmarket’s New Astley Club on 01638 662828 or email him at randjwallwork@btinternet.com
Dunwoody is also appealing for sponsorship and anyone who would like to donate or keep up with his progress can do so by visiting the Journal website and following the link.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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