Queenstown Marathon for Epilepsy

Ben Logan has been living with the challenges of epilepsy for the past 3 years. A strong, passionate and very talented professional triathlete, he has represented New Zealand internationally in triathlon from the age of 15, and has been racing in triathlon and other endurance events throughout his home country New Zealand across the world ever since. Ben's epilepsy causes him to have seizures around every 10-14 days, where he will experience an Atonic seizure or "drop attack" with loss of consciousness and muscle jerking whilst in the seizure, which is followed by a heavy fatigue cured only by rest and nourishing his body with a healthy, organic diet. 
Fortunately for Ben, his seizures do not occur while he is performing a physical activity or whilst sitting, which allows him to continue his passion in sports. However he is unable to drive or operate machinery, which impacts both his employment options and independance for travelling outside of his home town of Wanaka, NZ, for races. 

With a close and personal relationship with epilepsy, Ben wishes to use his strengths and talents as an athlete to help raise awareness and support for the millions of people living with epilepsy, their loved ones and caretakers. By racing at an international level on the world stage, Ben will be sharing his journey with the help of his girlfriend, Bel Jones, a photographer and filmmaker who will be documenting his daily life, training and ultimately race day through his website www.epilepsycollective.com, and social media platforms; www.instagram.com/epilepsycollective and www.facebook.com/pages/Epilepsy-Collective/1470497056599707? 

Ben's first mission is to race the 60km ultra-marathon in the Patagonia International Marathon on the 26th September 2015 (see www.patagonianinternationalmarathon.com for more info). The race through the Torres del Paine National Park is encompassed by massive glaciers, lakes and grand pillars of granite mountains that rise 2,500 meters above the race route. Each year, the Patagonian International Marathon received worldwide attention, attracting athletes ranging from beginners to veterans from South and North America, Europe, Australia and Africa to participate in this event. 
Bel will be accompanying Ben for support in South America, assisting with transport, travel logistics, photographing and filming. 

Your help is greatly appreciated by Ben and Bel, donations will contribute towards Ben's journey to Patagonia and for Bel to visually document his life through training to race day, and for this unique, passionate and dedicated little team to further build their project, the Epilepsy Collective, enabling Ben to race in 2-4 of the world's most challenging races each year. Additional funds raised will be donated to the Epilepsy Foundation New Zealand www.http://epilepsyfoundation.org.nz/