Nathan Judah’s magical miles raise thousands for Cure Leukaemia
Never mind Dopey, Shropshire Star journalist Nathan Judah is no doubt feeling a little bit Sleepy after running 48.6 miles for charity.
Digital Sports Editor Nathan has raised £3,660 for Cure Leukaemia after completing a 5km, 10km, half-marathon and full marathon over four consecutive days at Disney World in Florida – taking in the Magic Kingdom and other theme parks.
The 37-year-old, who works at head office in Wolverhampton, joined thousands of runners who took part in the 5th annual Dopey Challenge from January 4-7.
Nathan chose the cause after he lost a friend to the cancer last year and because Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme is currently fighting his own battle with the disease.
He said: “I am lost for words for the amount that was raised, especially at this time of year after Christmas when everyone is counting their pennies.
“We all know about Ikeme, who was diagnosed at the start of the season, and I lost a friend at the start of the year. With those two combined, I just wanted to do a ridiculous challenge to push myself.
“I promise you I could not walk after – it took me 15 minutes to walk 50 yards to get onto the bus to go back to the hotel.”
Nathan, who has previously run marathons in London, New York and Seattle, had set him self a fundraising total of £300.
For the Dopey Challenge he made his way through four Disney theme parks – Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios – supported by people on Twitter as well as his wife and mother, who were there to see him through.
The runs were made even more difficult by freezing temperatures.
Nathan said: “It was amazing when I finished but it was really hard work. I trained for nearly four months during cold Saturdays and Sundays. It was zero or one degrees so it took a while for my limbs to start going and the last leg of the marathon was agony but in the end it was all worth it.
“The support was fantastic on the course, as well as back home. I only put the message out last week but over 220 people donated and supported me on Twitter – a lot of them were Wolves fans.
“Now I am going to eat my body weight in chicken wings and whatever else I can find. I probably will not be doing it again.”
