Chasing Our Rainbow
It isn’t one of those things…it is devastating.
After four heartbreaking miscarriages, Breaking Strain Events’ Team Leader, firefighter and all round good guy Les Mason and his wife Alana are fighting back. In May 2019, Les is going up against Mother Nature in defiance of the obstacles she has put in their way over the years. Les will cross 200km of the most rugged and challenging terrain that Scotland has to offer, travelling coast to coast using human power alone.
Here’s Les:
“Miscarriage affects 1 in 4 women in the UK and, as well as causing great pain and hurt for those involved, also leaves many unanswered questions. Charities such as Tommy’s exist to answer those questions and, more importantly, fund vital research to prevent miscarriage in the first place. The prevailing attitude surrounding miscarriage is often that it ‘was not meant to be’ or ‘one of those things’ and this often means that people are not as open about the subject as they should be. We believe that people should talk about it and raise awareness of it.
Through cycling, swimming, kayaking, running and climbing, I will demonstrate that we can overcome the seemingly insurmountable challenges that nature can throw at us and come through the other side. I will also use this event to encourage others to open up about their miscarriage experience and to not simply think it was ‘one of those things’.
We welcome all donations to help fund Tommy’s and to achieve their goal of halving the number of miscarriages by 2030. Thank you for your generosity.
We may or may not find our rainbow… but we’re not going to sit in the rain worrying.”
This challenge will demonstrate that we can overcome the seemingly insurmountable challenges that nature can throw at us and come through the other side.Les & Alana
Chasing Our Rainbow Challenge
As part of our commitment to support charitable fundraising, the BSE team will be assisting Les and Alana throughout their challenge. We’re here to help, provide a bit of logistical support and hopefully raise a bit of awareness of an amazing challenge and worthwhile cause.
Date
Wednesday 1st – Thursday 2nd May 2019. We’ll be setting off at 2030 hours.
Time
Les will have 24 hours to complete the full 200km route.
Route
The route will start in Montrose on the east coast and finish with one foot in Loch Linnhe in the west (or a full-on cannonball off the pier at Ballachulish).
Cycle
130kms via road bike from Montrose to Dunalastair Reservoir followed by a short 4kms after the swim.
Swim
500 metres in Dunalastair Reservoir.
Paddle
15.5kms paddle in touring kayaks on Loch Rannoch. Of all the disciplines, this is the one that Les is least experienced in.
Run
50kms from Bridge of Gaur to Loch Linnhe across Rannoch Moor, up the Devil’s Staircase and along the Aonach Eagach.
Support us
If you’d like to support the challenge email events@breakingstrain.co.uk or call 0131 285 6170.
Follow the challenge
For updates search Facebook for ‘Chasing Our Rainbow Challenge’.
Athlete profile: Les
cycling
Running
Lifting heavy stuff
sledging (must try harder)
Headline Sponsor
Event Supporters
Tommy’s
We fund research into miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth, and provide pregnancy health information to parents. We believe it is unacceptable that one in four women lose a baby during pregnancy and birth. We want every parent to have the best possible pregnancy outcomes and to take home happy, healthy babies.