Land's End to John o'Groats with a marine twist

Five intrepid souls will leave Lands End on July 25th hoping to complete the 950 mile journey to John O Groats in less than eight days. This is not a record breaking attempt or anything unusual, but the father and sons team composition and decision to travel overland whilst raising money for a marine conservation charity is somewhat unusual.

The team of five comprises:

Richard Cooper, 52, Businessman, and veteran of various similar adventures including an epic 2000 mile 8 week circumnavigation of the British Isles on a windsurfer back in 1999. Richard’s main sport is now cycling and triathlon, training hard, and racing over short and long distances

Jack Cooper, 20, son of Richard studying Engineering at Nottingham University, and first team Rugby Captain. Furthest ever bike ride 30 mile!!! Until he starts training in earnest next week.........

George Cooper, 18, also son of Richard, currently doing A Levels at Millfield School in Somerset. Also big into Rugby, and most other sports. Only previous cycling event was a respectable ten mile time trial at local club with dad.

Matt Tull, also of Nottingham University, and Ex Hall President so clearly a man of great popular appeal. Also has started his training well ahead of Cooper boys...

Hamish Stewart, 52, currently living in rainy Seattle as VP of International for Brooks running shoes, but clearly with Scottish ancestry. Hamish recently completed a gruelling four day trans-navigation of the West Coast of Scotland (Tour D’Ecosse) by bike and on foot with Richard and others.

The team will eat /sleep/ recover in a mobile home support vehicle driven by various volunteers .....some still to be appointed! The route will be published in due course but its basically :

Day 1 : Land's End to Mid Devon

Day 2 : Devon to Gloucestershire

Day 3 : Gloucestershire to Cheshire

Day 4 : Cheshire to North of England

Day 5 : North England to Borders

Day 6 : Borders to Mid Scotland

Day 7-8 : the rest!

Why are we doing it? It's both a physical and mental challenge - hour after hour beating into the expected northerly headwinds! - and a logistical challenge. Its also a family challenge...three from same family adds an extra potential “fall-out” dynamic...Will the fit muscle-bound Rugby players keep up with decrepit dad?

Why the marine twist? Richard worked closely with and raised considerable funds for MCS during his Round Britain Windsurf. Richard is a passionate supporter of looking after the Marine Environment around Britain’s shores, and a big user of our seas and waterways, via his Windsurfing, Sea Kayaking, Surfing and open water swim events.

Via his A level studies George has a keen interest in the marine environment, and in fact has done some scuba diving and survey work off a remote Indonesian island.

The others have no direct MCS connections, but are committed to support the cause and raise funds!

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