Thursday, March 13, 2008

Blind marathoner's bid scuppered by Argys

A blind man hoping to complete seven marathons in seven days has had to alter his route just weeks before his first challenge. Dave Heeley, 50, will run his first marathon in the Falklands Islands but is not allowed to use Argentinian air space to reach Chile for his second.

Organisers said the second challenge would now take place in Brazil.

Mr Heeley, from West Bromwich in the Black Country, has a guide and aims to finish at the London Marathon.

"When planning a global event like this there are always going to be logistical problems to iron out - whether that be in physical training or in the planning of the route and flights around the globe," he said.

"Dave's inspirational Seven Magnificent Marathons global challenge for Guide Dogs is made all the more extraordinary by the fact that he's blind" said Sir Ranulph Fiennes

"We have been unfortunate enough at this relatively late stage to be forced to change our route slightly due to the refusal to enter Argentinian air space."

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