DAN'S PAPERS, July 31, 2009 Page 25 www.danshamptons.com
Seven Marathons, Seven Continents, Seven Days By Anne Calder Last year, Chris Cuddihy of Riverhead and his friend Stewart Kershaw were looking for something to do. Not just any ordinary thing, but something big. Most people might opt for a trip to Europe, or buying a new car. These two chose instead to run seven ultra marathons in seven days, on seven continents. If completed, it would set a world record. The year before, Chris Cuddihy, at age 54, rowed across the Atlantic onboard a boat At the South Africa start, Cuddihy (center) and Jones to his left; Right photo: the two finish the seventh in London named the ORCA, as part of a 14-man crew. The ORCA was in a kilometer race (just over 31 miles). After comEight months into planning the adventure race against La Mondiale, another 14-man boat, pleting that run, they would fly to Chile to run came another wrinkle. The runners found out rowed by Stuart Kershaw and Oliver Dudley, another 50 kilometers. From Chile, it was Los that Richard Donovan, an Irish ultra-runner among others. That competition sparked a Angeles, Australia, Hong Kong, South Africa, who had given them some advice on their friendship between Cuddihy and Kershaw, and and finally London. All in just 7 days. Antarctic leg of the trip, was going to try running they decided shortly after that they needed to do Unfortunately, Ryan Cuddihy injured his knee 7 marathons on 7 continents in just 6 days. The something else. They agreed that “something” during training and had to drop out. And there men were devastated. They nearly gave up, sent should be quick (since they all have jobs and were other obstacles. While making the travel the money they had already raised to Isaac’s lives to attend to) and inexpensive. One week arrangements and planning, “the cost just kept House, and called it quits. But instead, at the seemed feasible, and running was cheap enough going up,” said Cuddihy. “We had no idea just suggestion of Cuddihy’s wife, Pat, they upped the — or so they thought. Others had tried running how much this was going to cost. It was a totally ante —“don’t just run marathons,” Pat said, “run seven marathons in seven days on seven conti- self-funded trip with all proceeds raised by ultra marathons” nents before, but were unsuccessful. Stuart and me going to Isaac’s House.” Cuddihy Of the team of four, only two made it through Yet Chris Cuddihy, his son Ryan, and Kershaw paid for all of the expenses out of pocket, racking all seven ultra marathons in the seven days planned not only to accomplish the feat, but to up a $27,000 bill. (continued on page 28) raise money for charity while they were at it. They settled on Isaac’s House — a charity run by SERVICES AVAILABLE Paul Howells of Liverpool that is building and • Telephone/Intercom Systems maintaining an orphanage in Uganda to help communication solutions • Programming children affected by war, HIV and poverty that work for your home & business • User-Training (IsaacsHouse.org) — and began making arrange• Extended Warranty Our experienced staff is ready to ments for their extraordinary undertaking. They assist you with all phases of design, • Maintenance Plans • Repair Service installation and maintenance of called it 7in7on7. • Refurbished Equipment telephone/intercom systems for Kershaw recruited Oliver Dudley and Jack • VOIP Solutions your business or home. We have Jones, Jones from Liverpool and Dudley from • Video Surveillance certified technicians on staff to London. That brought the total headcount to five. • Home Automation ensure that your needs are The team members — ranging in age from 25 • Computer Networking Serving Business & High-End Residential Clients handled as quickly as possible. on Long Island for Over 20 Years through 55, with little previous marathon expe1150-4 Lincoln Avenue • Holbrook, NY 11741 Please contact us to arrange a complimentary consultation with one of the professionals from our staff. rience — would start in Antarctica, running a 50Tel: 631-913-0226 • www.TDLI.net 1197232
1144268