ARCH 2 ARC RUN - Over 7 Marathons in 7 days

What is it?

It is a 7-day run from Marble Arch in London to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, covering just over a marathon a day! On the first leg of the trip, we run south from the capital to the English coast where we will catch the ferry from New Haven. After landing in Dieppe, a small coastal town in Northern France we will embark on the final run to Paris. Averaging around a marathon a day, this challenge will test the boys physically and mentally! The boys are up for the challenge!

Over 7 marathons in 7 days has a nice ring to it!

Who is running?

The team comprises of five 24-year-old best mates, Iwan MacRae (my brother), Tom Bishop, Tom Guthrie, Max Tipping, and Tom Croisdale. They all studied together at the University of Leeds. Now, all living and working in London. They are looking to challenge themselves to something very far out of their comfort zones.

Why are we doing it?

The aim is to raise as much money for causes close to our hearts.

The story goes as:

On August 13th, 2023 at 6 am I suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during my sleep. This awoke my girlfriend, Kitty Williams, who called 999 and performed life-saving CPR until the paramedics arrived, where I was defibrillated 4 times to get a pulse back. I was then rushed to St. George’s Hospital London where I was induced into a coma. This time was simply the unimaginable, the fear of the unknown is something everyone talks about but it became very real for my family and friends during this time. They didn’t know to what extent my brain had been damaged during the arrest or even if I would ever wake up again. The minutes must have felt like hours and hours like days for my family who sat and waited by my bedside hoping they could speak to me again. On the second day, the nurses tried to wake me up and thankfully I did!

I remained in ICU for the rest of the week before I was moved into the cardiac ward for another two weeks. Luckily I was becoming stronger by the day both physically and mentally, as my memory started to come back and I was becoming more myself again under the watchful eye of Professor Sharma and Professor Papadakis (both the world's leading cardiologists). I have had countless tests trying to find a diagnosis as to why this happened to me - however, currently, they are unable to find a diagnosis as to why this happened. Despite not being able to find a cause I was treated with an S-ICD (Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) which I will have for the rest of my life. Being at the time a fit and healthy ex-professional international 21-year-old rugby player this came as a massive shock. Why me? Why now? But I'm one of the few lucky ones that have lived to tell that tail. So this is for all of them and I want to make a difference!

Although this incident has been life-altering for myself and my family, Kitty and I want to raise awareness of cardiac arrests, especially within sports and young people. Therefore, we started an Instagram platform called ‘My S-ICD and Me’ which focuses on the importance of CPR and AED training through sharing our story. We offer a safe space where people can share their personal journeys, ask questions, and most importantly get involved.

Where is the money going?

We are raising money to donate to the British Heart Foundation and Cardiac Risk in the Young (C.R.Y.) both fund pioneering research into heart-related issues whilst also offering training courses and heart screening to the community. We will also raise money for Brave Mind, which puts mental health at the heart of the community. Lastly, we will be donating to St George’s University Hospital, London, particularly the ICU and cardiac ward as without them and Kitty I would not be here today telling my story!

A small portion of the donations will be used to sponsor the boys and cost while they undertake the run.

Now you know our what and why, please donate if you can and spread the word!

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