The Trip to Remember - New Endurance Event

Starting on the morning of July 9th, the team of 15 will set off on their bikes down Ireland’s dramatic coastal roads. They will ride 45 miles from Dublin harbour to the coastal town of Arklow where they will swap bike for blade. Using a surf rowboat – a small open topped rowing boat famed for its use by Australian life guards – the participants will attempt a night time crossing of the Irish Sea, a challenge that is expected to take up to 16 hours. Once they have arrived in the Welsh town of Porthmadog they will have very little time to rest and recover as they are faced with a 15 mile hike through the Snowdonia National Park to try and reach the peak of Snowdon within 36 hours of their departure from Dublin.

The route, which has never been attempted before, offers the unique challenge of combining a long distance, open water row with two other disciplines to create what has been described as a hyper-triathlon. This challenge meant that upon opening the doors for entry the Trip’s organisers found there was a wide-ranging level of interest; from keen amateurs to endurance athletes with a global profile. This has allowed them to hand-pick an exciting team that is sure to complete the challenge with style, while opening up the possibility to making it a regular event in the UK’s endurance calendar.

"The Trip to Remember" organiser and participant, David Bedford, comments: “I have really been blown away by the response we received after opening the event up for applications. To have expressions of interest from people who have rowed oceans and run across continents is genuinely humbling, especially when they are chasing up their applications and offering support even if they don’t get in.

“The ultimate purpose of the event is to raise awareness and support for the Alzheimer’s Society, a charity that has been very close to my heart since my grandmother was diagnosed some years ago. I am now convinced that this can be bigger than a one-off event and would love to make it a regular challenge that is able to make a continued impact in the fight against this cruel disease.”

Between them the crew has a number of notable achievements including two Atlantic rows, the first solo row from Australia to New Zealand, a crossing of the Irish Sea by row boat (following a different route), a circumnavigation of Great Britain by row boat, the world’s first completion of seven ultra-marathons in seven days on seven continents and a run equating to 50 marathons over 56 days. This is on top of innumerable marathons, triathlons, long distance rows and mountaineering expeditions.

Bedford has worked closely with Atlantic rower and expedition manager, Margaret Bowling, to make sure that the event runs smoothly and safely.

Margaret adds to David’s comments: “When I heard about David’s challenge it was obvious that his unique concept had huge potential. As the only multi discipline event in the UK to include a long distance offshore row I knew it was a perfect fit for rowers looking for an adventure challenge and adventurers looking for a rowing challenge. I have been working with David in a mentoring capacity to ensure that The Trip to Remember is a success. I am really excited by the mix of old hands and fresh new talent taking part and am sure it will lead to many more adventures for everyone involved."

Apart from offering participants a completely new challenge, The Trip to Remember has one other important goal. It intends to raise money through sponsorship for the Alzheimer’s Society, a charity that is committed to providing support to sufferers of Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia and their families while also funding research into a prevention and cure for the disease.

This goal was given a boost when European marketing agency DMA Europa agreed to come on board as a title sponsor for the event. The company has helped to fund the event, as well as providing web support and advice from Roland Renshaw, a company Director, on generating publicity. With this support it is hoped the event will help to raise the charity’s profile and increase people’s awareness of the problems that society is faced by dementia.

There are currently over 750,000 people known to be suffering from dementia in the UK alone, it is expected that the real number is in fact far higher as it is estimated that only 40% of people with dementia receive a diagnosis. As the population ages it’s expected that this number will continue to increase meaning that established care and treatment is vital. It is a progressive disease that can have a devastating effect on the lives of sufferers as well as their families; leading to severe memory loss, problems with communication and the deterioration of personality.

David continues: “My personal interest in dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s, began in 2001 when my Gran was diagnosed with it. Since then she has battled it well with the inspirational support of my Granddad but the unavoidable truth is that you can’t beat it; over the years her memory has grown worse and while she is still a wonderfully charismatic women with a wit in her that is a joy to behold we are slowly losing her to the disease. I have been looking for a way to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society and believe that this presents a fantastic opportunity.”

The Trip to Remember is taking place over the weekend of July 9th and 10th. You can learn more about the route and the team, or offer sponsorship, at www.thetriptoremember.co.uk.